any moment since her marriage
did she cling so earnestly and so closely by him as she did now. She
was of that bold and daring temperament, that she could admire the
courage that propelled to the crime, while the crime itself she
abhorred. It was not, therefore, anything surprising that, at such a
moment, with regard to a husband to whom she was devoted, she thought
more of the danger to which he was exposed than she did of the crime
which had been committed.

To do Rushbrook himself justice, his person and mind were of no plebeian
mould. He was a daring, venturous fellow, ready at any emergency, cool
and collected in danger, had a pleasure in the excitement created by the
difficulty and risk attending his nocturnal pursuits, caring little or
nothing for the profits. He, as well as his wife, had not been
neglected in point of education: he had been born in humble life, and
had, by enlisting, chosen a path by which advancement became impossible;
but had Rushbrook been an officer instead of a common soldier, his
talents would probably have been directed to more noble channels, and
the poacher and pilferer for his captain might have exerted his
dexterity so as to have gained honourable mention. His courage had
always been remarkable, and he was looked upon by his officers--and so
he was by his companions--as the most steady and collected man under
fire to be found in the whole company.

We are the creatures of circumstances. Frederick of Prussia had no
opinion of phrenology; and one day he sent for the professor, and
dressing up a highwayman and a pickpocket in uniforms and orders, he
desired the phrenologist to examine their heads, and give his opinion as
to their qualifications. The _savant_ did so, and turning to the king,
said, "Sire, this person," pointing to the highwayman, "whatever he may
be, would have been a great general, had he been employed. As for the
other, he is quite in a different line. He may be, or, if he is not, he
would make, an admirable financier." The king was satisfied that there
was some truth in the science; "for," as he very rightly observed, "what
is a general but a highwayman, and what is a financier, but a
pickpocket?"

"Calm yourself, dear Jane," said Rushbrook; "all is well now."

"All well!--yes; but my poor child--200 pounds offered for his
apprehension! If they were to take him!"

"I have no fear of that; and if they did, they could not hurt him. It
is true that they h