I will have them ready for you; and, in case of need, they
will be such as will give a coloring to your proceeding, provided you
may not choose to reveal your true object. How wears our good friend
Heatherstone and his daughter?"
"Quite well, sir."
"And he told me in one of his former letters that he had the daughter
of our poor friend Ratcliffe with him. Is it not so?"
"It is, Master Langton; and a gentle, pretty child as you would wish
to see."
"When did you arrive in London?"
"Yesterday evening, sir."
"And do you purpose any stay?"
"That I can not answer, sir; I must be guided by your advice. I have
naught to do here, unless it be to deliver some three or four letters,
given me by Mr. Heatherstone."
"It is my opinion, Master Armitage, that the less you are seen in this
city the better; there are hundreds employed to find out new-comers,
and to discover, from their people, or by other means, for what
purpose they may have come; for you must be aware, Master Armitage,
that the times are dangerous, and people's minds are various. In
attempting to free ourselves from what we considered despotism, we
have created for ourselves a worse despotism, and one that is less
endurable. It is to be hoped that what has passed will make not only
kings but subjects wiser than they have been.
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