"The Lieutenant shook his head.--It was not, he said.--'Pecuniary distresses,' he continued, 'are but the secondary causes of her affliction. Early in life she lost a beloved husband, and for many years experienced the keenest unhappiness: at last Heaven sent a friend, who promised to redress the injuries she had suffered; but it was not to be: death has bereaved her of her protector; and for him it is she grieves, independently of the misery which awaits her.' "Delicacy forbade my urging any farther, and, unwilling to intrude, I took a reluctant leave.--But, surely, my dear uncle, something may be done; theirs is not a common distress: they need a friend, and, had I the wealth of the universe--" Frederick was interrupted by his uncle's servant, who rushed into the room with looks of the wildest delight, exclaiming--"She is found--she is found, your Honour! My Lady is now in the village!" The Captain's countenance indicated displeasure. "Am I never to be free from the persecution of this woman?" he cried. "Order my horses; I will be gone immediately!" "What, Sir!" said James, surprised and dejected: "not see my Lady, now you have found her?" "Found her--found whom?" asked the Captain hastily. "My honoured Lady, Sir; Madam Crawton, who lived at Brighthelmstone." "My Ellenor here!" exclaimed the Captain, starting from his seat, every feature instantly illumined with joy.--"O God of Heaven! tell me where she is, this instant!" "At the house, your Honour, where Mr. Frederick went with the gentleman and lady: I saw Madam Crawton as she came out of the parlour. I could not at the moment be certain it was her; but, willing to satisfy myself, I returned as soon as my young master reached the inn, and saw Mrs. Susan putting some parcels into a carriage. I remembered Mrs. Susan perfectly well; and at that moment my Lady came to the door. I was then convinced, and hastened back to acquaint your Honour." The Captain could scarcely retain patience till James concluded; when, quick as lightning, he darted out of the room, followed by his nephew and Mr. Talton, and in a few minutes reached the residence of Lieutenant Booyers. With a beating heart he raised the knocker; but all remained silent: no ready footstep answered to the summons. Again he knocked--when a peasant slowly advanced from the back of the garden, and, with a surly voice, demanded their business? "Is Mrs. Crawton, or Lieutenant Booyers, at home?" asked the Captain. "They are not," answered the man. "They have left the village." "Left the village!" faltered the Captain. "Yes," replied the man. "So, for once you have missed your aim." "Missed indeed!" he cried. "But say--where are they gone?--Tell me, I conjure you." "I will perish first," answered the man. "I know your business too well!" "It is impossible," said the Captain, "you should know my business." "Is not your name Talton!" interrupted the man.