"They are bailiffs, my lady," said one of our servants: "my master is arrested for debt, and these men will seize every thing in the house; but you need not be terrified, your ladyship is safe, they cannot touch you." I ran back into the house with the utmost precipitation; all the servants seemed in commotion. I saw Preston; she was running up-stairs with a bundle in her hand. "Preston," said I, "what are you about?" "Oh! the bailiffs, the bailiffs, my lady!" "They won't hurt you; I want you here." "I can't come, indeed, my lady till I have disposed of these things; I must throw them out of the window, or the bailiffs will seize them." I could not get a servant near me but my faithful Win, who hung weeping round me; as for myself, I was too much agitated to shed a tear, or appear sensible of my misfortune. Two of these horrid men came into the room. I demanded what they wanted. To see that none of the goods were carried out of the house, they answered. I asked them, if they knew where Sir William Stanley was. "Oh! he is safe enough," said one of them; "we can't touch him; he pleads privilege, as being a member of parliament; we can only take care of his furniture for him." "And am I not allowed the same privilege? If so, how have you dared to detain me?" "Detain you! why I hope your ladyship will not say as how we have offered to detain you? You may go where you please, provided you take nothing away with you." "My lady was going out," said Win, sobbing, "and you would not suffer it." "Not in that coach, mistress, to be sure; but don't go for to say we stopped your lady. She may go when she will." "Will one of you order me a chair or hackney coach? I have no business here." The last word melted me; and I sunk into a chair, giving way to a copious flood of tears. At that instant almost the detestable Biddulph entered the room. I started up--"Whence this intrusion, my lord?" I asked with a haughty tone. "Are you come to join your _insults_ with the misfortunes you have in great measure effected?" "I take heaven to witness," answered he, "how much I was shocked to find an extent in your house; I had not the least idea of such a circumstance happening. I, indeed, knew that Sir William was very much straitened for money." "Accursed be those," interrupted I, "ever accursed be those whose pernicious counsels and baleful examples have brought him into these exigencies. I look on you, my lord, as one cruel cause of the ruin of our house." "Rather, Lady Stanley, call me the prop of your sinking house. View, in me, one who would die to render you service." "Would to heaven you had done so long--long before I had seen you!" "How unkind is that wish! I came, Madam, with the intention of being serviceable to you. Do not then put such hard constructions on my words. I wished to consult with you on the most efficacious means to be used for Sir William's emolument. You know not what power you have!" "Power! alas! what power have I?"