d daylight, but I could not tell what the hour was. Presently a clock began to strike, and then I realized that I lay in my own bed at Trevanion and that the clock stood in the turret of my own st

nd what I had done. The more I thought about it the more I cursed myself for being a fool. For I felt how insane I had been. I had drunk too much wine, I had allowed myself to become angry at old Peter Trevisa's words. I had blurted out truths which un

the money I had been unable to pay. That piece of paper meant my ruin, if he took advantage of it. Would he do this? Yes,

t the door, and a

sa of Treviscoe

trembled slightly

t it, Danie

rvant

n ten minutes, Daniel; I'

s,

correctly spelt, and I knew that old Peter's writing was crabbed and ill-shapen; besides which, the old man had not learnt the secret of stringing words together with

25th day of March

Trevanion, Esq

essary for you to visit Treviscoe without delay. My father has therefore instructed me to write (instead of employing our attorney, who has up to the present conducted all correspondence relating to my father's connections with Trevanion) urging your prese

eter T

t in no very pleasant frame of mind as I entered the r

g

rought this, Daniel?" I as

sur. He wudden cum in. He

hard ridden. It was covered with mud and sweat. The man wh

man, and get something

master told me to ride hard, and to

wrong at T

I know o

d proud is in no enviable position. Added to this, the desire to hide my poverty had made me reckless, extravagant, dissolute. Sometimes I had been driven to desperation, and, while I had never forgotten the Trevanion's code of honour, I had become feared and disliked by man

g

divided, and my father's patrimony was never great. True, there were many hundreds of acres of land, but, even although all of it were free from embarrassment, it was not enough to make its owner wealthy. My father had also quarrelled with those who bore our name, partly, I expect, because they treated him with but little courtes

and habits were expensive, and my income being small, I was

them do their worst. I was young, as strong as a horse, scarcely knew the meaning of fatigue, and I loved [Pg 15]adventure. I was the last of my branch of the family, so there was no one that I feared grieving. Very well, t

at old Peter had to say. I was careless as to what he intended doing in relation to the moneys I owed him, but I wondered what schemes the old man ha

see your master before you do, tel

nother word the man mount

ht meet my creditors was pleasant. I made plans as to where I should go, and what steps I should first take in winning a fortune. The spirit of adventure was u

g

d changed, for I felt a twinge of pain at telling them they must leave the old place. Some of them had lived there long years, and they would ill-brook the t

as a good many miles from Trevanion, but I reached it in a little m

ger, glad to see you

u send for

tly. John, take some

s bidding, and I followed the

all we'll drink each other's health in the best wine

wine for me at present. I want to keep my head cool

le young Peter drew his chair to a spot where his face was shaded,

" was my rejoinder. "Tell me why

ut this morning, and was not able to travel. I want

ather on Trevanion. I know I have been a fool since I came into possession. Last night I lost my head.

een paid," laug

ca

that h

paid

d

you," I cried angrily. "Well, some dogs are like th

ding up the piece of paper I had

eplied, "but I remember it well.

eter. "He did not like taking [Pg 18]advantage of it, and yet

el

t as well have this too. So I offered him money down, and he was plea

iting ought to be on

; aye,

t me loo

cious to me. I dare not let you ha

d, "did ever a Trevanio

re in a tight

queeze the life out of the bodies of both of you and take the paper from yo

you, Roger;

ture; underneath it was stated that the money had bee

in now. I am quite prepared for what I have no doubt you will do. Trevanion

g

r my lad, but then I should not like to drive you away from your old home. All the Trevanions would turn in th

. "Trust you to

y," cried young Peter. "You will se

oung Peter, just as his father was. A foxy expression was on his face, and his mouth betrayed his nature. He was

e your old home. Nay, there is no reason why you should not be better of

, looking at me from t

mething," I said afte

old man, "how quickly y

20] shall not be sorry to be away from the county. The thought that everything has really belon

f I burnt this paper. If the esta

be. Trust you to give

e of righteous indignation. "What right have you to say this

ortunity of letting me know t

tural. I wanted to put a c

face, for I knew

r is a merciful man. He has your welfare at hea

e here. I knew you had some deep-laid plans or I would not have come. It is al

ider would have imagined them in my power instead of I b

g

old man. "When a Trevanion gives his wo

o be careful how to give

sk you to keep what I tell you a

o confidence

Peter. "You guessed rightly. If you do not feel inclined to do wh

t fair," wa

, then?" cri

rably can,"

n were silent; then old P

hat I hold the deeds of Trevanion; you

l en

ou, a Trevanion, would not like to be an

e landless than be supposed to own the land, while everything practical

ck. You would like to live at th

g

I would. W

deal in order that thi

do you

same point again, and ag

tormel?" he s

le, up by Lostw

rish of St. Miriam, a fe

es, I

do you

oke in the same breath; both spok

gossips," I replied. "I exp

t have y

d's mother died at her birth, and that her father, Godfrey Molesworth, did not lon

became of

That the rents are paid to Colman Killigrew who lives at Endellion Castle, and who is a godless old savage. Rumour says that h

g

all you h

I can remembe

never seen

was placed in a convent school. Old

He hath kept the maid, Nancy Molesworth, a prisoner. In a few months she will be twenty-one. He intends marrying her to on

now nothing of the maid, Nancy Molesworth; I do not care.

hath seen th

! H

neighbourhood of Endellion Cas

he to

im. She is kept a close prisoner,

re monkeyish than ever. A simpering smile played around hi

id, "what is

ht here to Treviscoe. I[Pg 24] want to save her from those Papist

men. They are all alike-all cruel, all selfish

shall have the Trevanion deeds back. I will destroy this paper you gave to Prideaux, and we will forg