Providentially, no interview took place between Hildebrand and the
stranger on the night of his arrival; and sufficient time intervened to
enable Lady Fairfax to make a desperate attempt, in the hope of gaining
possession of the papers for which he had been sent. She well knew
Hildebrand would not relinquish the possession of credentials that might
ensure his lord's return. It was Lady Fairfax who had alarmed him the
same night by her appearance in his chamber. She hoped to have found him
asleep; but was enabled to get possession of the writings through his
timidity and surprise. With these she met the envoy, as he was returning
from the castle. Disclosing all the tortuous and daring villany of
Hildebrand, she committed the real documents to his care, instructing
him at the same time to lay before her sovereign the narrative of her
wrongs. Soon was the captivity of Sir Henry terminated; and joy,
heightened by recollection of the past, and chastened by the severity of
their misfortunes, attended them through the remainder of their earthly
career.
[Illustration: SOUTH PORT.
_Drawn by G. Pickering. Engraved by Edw^d Finden.
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