The express reached him several hours since, and an answer has been received, informing us that we may expect to see him, in an hour or two." Thus much was related by Wycherly; but, we may add that Sir Reginald Wychecombe was a Catholic, as it was then usual to term the Romanists, and in secret, a Jacobite; and, in common with many of that religious persuasion, he was down in the west, to see if a rising could not be organized in that part of the kingdom, as a diversion to any attempt to repel the young Pretender in the north.

As the utmost caution was used by the conspirators, this fact was not even suspected by any who were not in the secret of the whole proceeding.

Understanding that his relation was an inefficient old man, Sir Reginald, himself an active and sagacious intriguer, had approached thus near to the old paternal residence of his family, in order to ascertain if his own name and descent might not aid him in obtaining levies among the ancient tenantry of the estate.

That day he had actually intended to appear at Wychecombe, disguised, and under an assumed name.

He proposed venturing on this step, because circumstances put it in his power, to give what he thought would be received as a sufficient excuse, should his conduct excite comment.
Sir Reginald Wychecombe was a singular, but by no means an unnatural compound of management and integrity.