Page:Adventures of Susan Hopley (Volume 1).pdf/67

54 his astonishment and incredulity at an accusation that appeared to him so monstrous, for a moment overpowered his other feelings.

"I fear it's too true," observed one of the gentlemen, whose name was Sir Thomas Taylor, and who was a magistrate for the county.

"Where is Andrew, Sir," said Jeremy; "does he confess it?"

"Gone off! escaped with his booty!" answered Gaveston, removing the handkerchief from his face.

"When did it happen?" inquired the butler.

"The night before last," answered he-"and though pursuit has been made in every direction-I myself have scoured the country, and hav'nt been off my horse till this evening-yet we can gather no tidings of the rascal. Once I thought I was upon his track-the description answered him exactly, and there was an evident desire of concealment; but the young man had a woman with him-therefore that couldn't be Andrew, you know, Mr. Jeremy."

Mr. Jeremy was silent.

"Andrew was never supposed to be connected with any woman that ever I heard of, was he?" repeated Mr. Gaveston.

"Not that I know of," answered Jeremy. "Andrew Hopley I take to be as good a young