"May I venture to put in a word?" observed Dr. Byrom. "Such faith had I in your royal highness's clemency, and in your known friendship for Colonel Conway, that I urged his nephew to take this step which has had so happy a result."
"You then are the author of the plot?" cried the duke.
"Perhaps I was at the bottom of it all," cried Beppy. "I don't like to lose my share of the credit. I had the most perfect confidence in your royal highness's good-nature."
"'Tis the first time I have been complimented on my good-nature," observed the duke, smiling—"especially by a Jacobite, as I believe you are, Miss Byrom."
"After what has just occurred I could not possibly remain a Jacobite," she said. "I shall trumpet forth your royal highness's magnanimity to all."
"And so shall I," said her father.
"When next I see Sir Conway Rawcliffe," said the duke, "I trust it will be at St. James's Palace, and I also hope he will bring Lady Rawcliffe to town with him. Meantime, I advise him to retire to his country seat till this storm has blown over. It may possibly fall on some heads."
"I shall not fail to profit by your royal highness's advice," replied Sir Conway, bowing deeply.
Profound obeisances were then made by all the party, and they were about to depart, when the duke said in a low tone to Constance:
"I depend upon you to maintain your cousin in his present disposition. Go back to Rawcliffe Hall."