Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/136

 one day, accompanied by Peter (then also a lad) and Ernest, the horse of Peter took fright: Ernest, who had an excellent one, as quickly followed, overtook the other, and by a dexterous manoeuvre stopped the horse in the very moment when he must have plunged over a precipice. This signal service Peter never had forgotten, and though he could boast but of little principle or integrity in any one point, yet he always looked up to Ernest as the preserver of his life; when the old man scarcely remembered a single circumstance of it, and had sometimes been at a loss to account for Peter's particular civilities to him. These attentions, however, encouraged Ernest to address him, and to endeavour, if possible, to gain his confidence, being well assured that his master's secrets were in his possession.

Meeting by chance in the gallery, the old steward invited him to his apartment in the evening, an honour Peter was proud of, and took care not to neglect: He found a good bottle of wine prepared for him, and a very