I will act for the best--will communicate with those whom you point out to me, and only with them; and I trust soon to send you information that this delusion, however strong it may now be, is in the course of passing away; at the worst, I can apprise you of the danger, should it menace the Earl or yourself; and may be able also to point out the means by which it may be eluded." The Countess listened with a countenance in which the anxiety of maternal affection, which prompted her to embrace Peveril's generous offer, struggled with her native disinterested and generous disposition.
"Think what you ask of me, Julian," she replied with a sigh.

"Would you have me expose the life of my friend's son to those perils to which I refuse my own ?--No, never!" "Nay, but madam," replied Julian, "I do not run the same risk--my person is not known in London--my situation, though not obscure in my own country, is too little known to be noticed in that huge assemblage of all that is noble and wealthy.

No whisper, I presume, however indirect, has connected my name with the alleged conspiracy.

I am a Protestant, above all; and can be accused of no intercourse, direct or indirect, with the Church of Rome.

My connections also lie amongst those, who, if they do not, or cannot, befriend me, cannot, at least, be dangerous to me.