Page:Ethel Churchill 2.pdf/277

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ETHEL CHURCHILL.
275

been married to a coxcombical Jacobite, of the name of Trevanion; but he was arrested in the church, though he has since escaped by means of the jailor's daughter."

"But what could bring Miss Churchill to London?"

"Why, her grandmother came off at once to see what friends she could find; but a foolish visit to the Duchess of Buckingham, some indiscreet letters, and Mr. Trevanion's escape, made Mrs. Churchill the object of serious suspicion. Lady Marchmont—it is extraordinary how women do learn every thing!—heard that an arrest was intended, and what does she and her fair friend do, but set off, like two errant damsels in a romance, to obtain a pardon from Sir Robert."

"And how did they succeed?" asked Norbourne.

"Why, just as might be expected," replied his uncle, "not at all: Walpole thought them two fools for their pains; and, irritated by the gout, dismissed them with as little ceremony as possible."