'There is something in that,' said the Doctor.
'There is everything in it,' said the Squire, triumphantly. 'We must offer rewards; we must raise the posse comitatus.'
'For the sake of the family, I would make as little stir as necessary,' said Dr. Masham.
'For the sake of the family!' said the Squire. 'Think of the nation, sir! For the sake of the nation we must make as much stir as possible. 'Tis a Secretary of State's business; 'tis a case for a general warrant.'
'He is a well-meaning lad enough,' said the Doctor.
'Ay, and therefore more easily played upon,' said the Squire. 'Rome is at the bottom of it, brother Masham, and I am surprised that a good Protestant like yourself, one of the King's Justices of the Peace, and a Doctor of Divinity to boot, should doubt the fact for an instant.'
'We have not heard much of the Jesuits of late years,' said the
Doctor.
'The very reason that they are more active,' said the Squire.
'An only child!' said Dr. Masham.
'A Peer of the realm!' said Squire Mountmeadow.