believe himself to be in high favour.
Various matters of business, however, occurred to keep him late at
the Earl's house, and night had fallen when he returned to his own
lodgings.
In about an hour after, however, one of the Earl's servants brought
him a note in Lord Sherbrooke's handwriting, and marked "In haste."
Wilton tore it open immediately, and read,--
"MY DEAR WILTON,
"My father directs me to request your immediate return.
The Duke is now here. Lady Laura has been carried off,
or, at all events, has disappeared; and we want your wise
head to counsel, perhaps your strong hand to execute. Come
directly, for we are all in agitation.
"Yours, SHERBROOKE."
Written below, in smaller characters, and marked "Private," two lines
to the following effect:--
"This business is not my father's doing. It is too coarse for his
handiwork. He may, perhaps, take advantage of it, however, if he
finds an opportunity. Burn this instantly."

CHAPTER XVII.
Having now run on for some time, following almost entirely the course
and history of one individual, painting none but the characters with
whom he was brought into immediate contact, and making him, as it
were, a lantern in the midst of our dark story, all the characters
appearing in bright light as long as they were near him, and sinking
back into darkness as soon as they were removed from him, we must
follow our old wayward and wandering habits; and just at the moment
when we have contrived to create the first little gleam of interest
in the reader's breast, must leave our hero entirely to his fate,
open out new scenes, introduce new personages, and devote a
considerable space to matters which have APPARENTLY not the slightest
connexion whatsoever with that which went before.
About thirty miles from London, towards the sea-coast, there then
stood a small ancient house, built strongly of brick. It was not
exactly castellated in its appearance, but yet in the days of
Cromwell it had endured a short siege by a small body of the
parliamentary troops, and had afforded time, by the resistance which
it offered, for a small body of noblemen and gentlemen attached to
the cause of King Charles to make their escape from a superior party
of pursuers. It was built upon the edge of a very steep slope, so
that on one side it was very much taller than the other. It was
surrounded by thick trees also; and though by no means large, it had
contrived to get into a small space as many od