rly fortunate that we stumbled upon the tits in the cellar, or
we'd never have been here just in the nick of it. I begin to think we've
lost all chance of taking Dick Turpin this time. He's got clean away."

"I am not sorry for his escape," said the major. "He's a brave fellow;
and I respect courage wherever I find it, even in a highwayman. I should
be sorry to appear as a witness against him; and I trust it will never
be my fate to do so."

We shall not pause to describe the affectionate meeting which now ensued
between the brother and sister--the congratulations upon Eleanor's
escape from peril, intermingled with the tenderest embraces, and the
warmest thanks offered to Ranulph for his gallant service. "She is
yours, my dear boy," said the major; "and though you are a Rookwood, and
she bears the ill-fated name of Eleanor, I predict that, contrary to the
usual custom of our families in such cases, all your misfortunes will
have occurred _before_ marriage."

"There is only one thing," said Small, with a very peculiar expression,
which might almost be construed into serio-comic, could we suspect the
benevolent doctor of any such waggery, "that can possibly throw a shade
over our present felicity. Lady Rookwood is not to be found."

"My poor mother," said Ranulph, starting.

"Make yourself easy," said the doctor; "I doubt not we shall hear of her
to-morrow. My only apprehension," added he, half aside, "is, that she
may be heard of before."

"One other circumstance afflicts me," said Ranulph. "Poor Mr. Coates!"

"What's that you say of Mr. Coates, Sir Ranulph?" exclaimed Titus.

"I fear he was killed in the recent affray," said Ranulph. "Let some one
search for the body."

"Kilt!" echoed Titus. "Is it kilt that Mr. Coates is? Ah! _ullagone_,
and is it over with him entirely? Is he gone to rejoin his father, the
thief-taker? Bring me to his remains."

"He will bring them to you himself," said the attorney, stepping
forward. "Luckily, Sir Ranulph," said the incurable punster, "it was
merely the _outer coats_ that your sword passed through; the _inner_
remains uninjured, so that you did not act as my _conveyancer_ to
eternity. Body o' me! I've as many lives as a cat--ha, ha!"

Ranulph welcomed the facetious man of law with no little satisfaction.

We think it unnecessary to enter into further detail. Another chamber
was prepared for Eleanor's reception, to which she was almost
immediately transported. The remains