It was well it happened as it did; for the road's a lonely one, the hour was late, and, the night being cold, and poor Barnaby even less sensible than usual from surprise and fright, the young gentleman might have met his death in a very short time.' 'I dread to think of it!' cried his daughter with a shudder.

'How did you know him ?' 'Know him!' returned the locksmith.

'I didn't know him--how could I?
I had never seen him, often as I had heard and spoken of him.

I took him to Mrs Rudge's; and she no sooner saw him than the truth came out.' 'Miss Emma, father--If this news should reach her, enlarged upon as it is sure to be, she will go distracted.' 'Why, lookye there again, how a man suffers for being good-natured,' said the locksmith.

'Miss Emma was with her uncle at the masquerade at Carlisle House, where she had gone, as the people at the Warren told me, sorely against her will.