CHAPTER XVI .-- Sir Robert ingeniously extricates Himself out of a great.
Difficulty.
On the day after the outrage we have described, the indignant old squire's carriage stopped at the hall-door of Sir Robert Whitecraft, whom he found at home.

As yet, the latter gentleman had heard nothing of the contumelious dismissal of Miss Herbert; but the old squire was not ignorant of the felonious abduction of the priest.

At any other time, that is to say, in some of his peculiar stretches of loyalty, the act might, have been a feather in the cap of the loyal baronet; but, at present, he looked both at him and his exploits through the medium of the insult he had offered to his daughter.

Accordingly, when he entered the baronet's library, where he found him literally sunk in papers, anonymous letters, warrants, reports to Government, and a vast variety of other documents, the worthy Sir Robert rose, and in the most cordial manner, and with the most extraordinary suavity of aspect, held out his hand, saying: "How much obliged am I, Mr.Folliard, at the kindness of this visit, especially from one who keeps at home so much as you do." The squire instantly repulsed him, and replied: "No, sir; I am an honest, and, I trust, and honorable man.

My hand, therefore, shall never touch that of a villain." "A villain!--why, Mr.Folliard, these are hard and harsh words, and they surprise me, indeed, as proceeding from your lips.