His gallantry and amiability so won upon Fanny, that she sobbingly consented, and he was generous enough to call a conveyance, and saw her safely to her own door. A few days subsequent to this incident, Redgill and Charley Warbeck met near the Exchange. The former waited until the latter had passed into a bye street, when he accosted him. Phillip’s manner was so cordial and hearty, as fully to disarm all suspicions which Charley might have formed of him. Phillip “was intensely sorry” to hear of his misfortune, and swore roundly that _he_ had been the first to petition the king for his pardon and release, and that “the chief judge had said to him” and “he had said to the chief judge” &c., so that Charles began to imagine Phillip was a very “good fellow” and not so bad as he had imagined. Phillip knew perfectly well where Charles lived and promised to call, particularly when young Warbeck casually remarked that there were apartments vacant which Dame Worthington desired to let to a man and wife without family. The interview concluded by Redgill asking Charley to take some brandy, and begging the loan of “five pounds for a day or two,” a request which Charley was not foolish enough to grant him. CHAPTER XXVII. THE MATRIMONIAL PROSPECTS OF MISS CLARA. The sudden and unexpected return of Charles from prison, and the unmistakable tokens of affection he had shown to Miss Clara since his abrupt appearance in the parlour, and the unceremonious departure of Augustus Fumbleton, Esq., had so weighed upon the tender and susceptible feelings of that young lady, that she was somewhat bewildered and in a maze of delightful torment. She could scarcely be said to be of sound mind, for her imagination was uncontrollable, and she gave herself away wildly to day dreams. She was deeply in love but would not confess it, yet, as Charles had never declared his passion, she began to doubt if his apparent fondness was genuine, and whether it might not dwindle away into mere flirtation. She paid particular attention to her toilet, and resorted to every means in her power to dispel the sorrow, care, and anxiety which of late had possessed him, and made his face so pale, careworn, and sad. She played and sang more charmingly than ever, and always selected the most lively airs. Yet all her gaiety seemed to have no power over him. She began to imagine that Miss Josephine Smith next door, or some unknown lady, had snatched him from her, and that both Dame Worthington and Sir Richard Warbeck were fully cognizant of the fact. The result of all her imaginings tended to make Clara languid in manner and much depressed in spirit. She began to look upon the good old dame with distrust, and seldom spoke to any one. Her appearance in the parlour was seldom. She had no taste or inclination for gay society, and sought retirement.