The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-04
Star and Catholic Messenger.



"By Heavens! there is some mystery which
/ cannot fathom," said Gervase, rising and
donning his beaver.
"Shall pay the reckoning cozT quoth
Harry suiting his action to his word, and pay
ing as he passed the bar.
Gervaae scarce spoke as they pursued their
way through the Temple Courts to HarIy's
chambers He was much perplexed by what
had fallen from his cousin to do more than re-
spond to his jovial and animated discourse in
monosy llables. He had been absent from Lon
don since the middle of April, when letters
had reached him purporting to come from Mr..
Finch, retaining those he had written to
Clara, and info ming him that she was be.
trothed to Edward Rogers In despair, he
had gone off towards Dorbyshire; but as he
journeyed northwards, and passed the man
sion of an old cavalier acquaintance OF his
fathers in Lsioestershire. one who clung to the
old faith, he sought him, and receiving q warm
welcome, was induced to tarry with him
rather than return among his Protestant
kinsfolk at q season when he felt, to need the
comforts of religion to sootbe his wounded
spirit There was priest in the house of the
name of William Lewson, himself n member of
the Seraphio Order, from whose conversation
GeFvase- -defived-the- greatest pro-. THIS
holy man completed the Instructions OF his
beloved brother in religion, Father Wall,
concerning whose fate he felt the deepest
solictude. 1t was through him that Sache-
veriii beoams acquainted with the fact of
Father Wallis -eehdemhatien.-It- -was-not,
however, until several weeks after the event
that Father Lewson learnt the particulars of
the trial, and the hOpea that were entertained
by Father Wallis friends of obtaining the
King'H pardon. That Father had an scquain-
tance in London of the name of Charles
Trinder, Counselo r-at-Law, who like many
at that period, secretly adhered to the Catho-
lilo religion. He bethought him of this gen.
tleman one who might assist in obtaining
. pardon for Father Joachim, especially as he
was intimate with many leading lawyers
and judges who could gain access TO and in
huepoe His Majesty. After much consulta-
.ion the subject both with his squire and
should go up to London and seek Counsellor
Trinder. His arrival in London had occurred
on the very morning on which be fell in with
his cousin Harry Townshend, and before he
had executed his commission with the coun.
Sellor We should not omit to mention that
before leaving London Harry had behaved
towards him with an open-hesrted cousinly
affection, refusing to comply with bis fathers
ipjnpctiops (ipstigsted, no doubt, by Rogers
and bis brotherl to compel him to take the
oaths before n Justice.
Nov, ooz, we are safe from pnrsIivants,"
cried Harry, after he had closed the outer
door of his chamber, "and ] may rate thee
on thy Papistry without endangering thy
neck. Here are thy letters-some from Dora,
that thou hast played the other wenoh foul,
and art for making me hrother-in-law az
we'll cousin. Hal no Papists in our nest,
an 1t please you, sirrah"
But Gervase was too deeply absorb bed in
the bundle of letters which had been handed
to him, to reply to his banter. Que of Dora's
enclosed q line written by Clara, after re-
ceiving the mssive delivered to her by old
Adds. 1t nearly two months old, but
even then Rogers schemes had been clearly
revealed to her.
Then came later letters, wondering what
had befallen Gervase, the last almost despair
ing of him, since it had transpired that no
tidngs had even reached his Derbyshire kins-
folk. Some fancied he had gone abroad, aud
Others went 81 far "a to surmise that he had
been robbed and murdered by hghwaymen ON
hie journey nOrthward
Among the rest there wAs epistle from
Dame Dorothy Pakington, written after
Claras visit to Worcester and Westwood. in
which she expressed herself in glowing terms
of the charms of Mistress Finch, commenting
Sacheverills choice, but at the same time
urging him to remain constant to tie Church
of England. offering him introducticns to
some of the soundest diviues in London. In
her letter she cited several instances of
sta3nch PFotest8nts married to PaPists who
to her knowledge had experienced perfect
domestic happiness despite their diversities of
creed.
He opened them as they came to hand, but
of course giving the preference to those
which might be written by Clara herself
At length be opened one in hand which he
Dame Mary Yate, and bore date only three
days prior to that on which he read it.
My Dear Mr.. SGchererilI-I have just heard
of you from friend, Mr.. L., who hath called
hither on his journey to Hereford, and hath
informed me that you are not only alive and
we'll, but that You are in all likelihood at
this time in London. You have dealt very
hardly toward my beloved friend C.
who is now absent from me. and who, hay.
ing been persuaded of your death, hath we'll
nigh resolved to give up the world and as
soon as the times shall be proptious to her
design, to GROSS over to tho Low Countries
and enter into religion. Your long silence
gives me no hope but that her resolve will
prove acceptable TO you, since conclude that
you have abandoned all intention of an ALI.
ance which (unless you were fixed in your
attachment as i once hoped and helieved)
wonld be undesirable for you both. Albeit, !
am rejoiced to learn that you continue stead.
fast in certain matters which refrain from
naming in a letter. pray God to guide and
guard you therein While in London l would
urge upon yon to use your endeRvors to see
our muiu Al friend +, j., who is sent u D hither,
aud to commend me to his prayers. Whatever
may be your future course, under Gods bless.
ing, you may always count upon the aff sction.
ate wetf-wishes and poor-prayers OF your
humble servant, NJ. Y.
cay, by my fay, co.," cried Harry, who had
been looking up case by the window, but or
turning round observed Gervase examinin 9
the post.mark of this last letter, there was
one of those letters, / should have told you
only came to hand this day. The rest are at
old as the hills"