regard he had always felt for the family, he took his leave.

"All is safe!" cried Rosamond, as soon as she heard the house door shut
after he was gone. "All is safe, thank Heaven!--for that man's head was
luckily so full of this memorial, that he never heard one word I said."

Mr. Percy was of a different opinion: he was persuaded that the attorney
would not neglect so fine an opportunity of revenge. Sharpe had formerly
been employed in suits of Sir Robert Percy, the heir-at-law. Here was now
the promise of a lawsuit, that would at all events put a great deal of
money into the pockets of the lawyers, and a considerable gratuity would be
ensured to the person who should first inform Sir Robert of the loss of the
important conveyance.

Mr. Percy's opinion of the revengeful nature of Sharpe, and his perception
that he was in the solicitor's power, did not, however, make any change in
his resolution about the memorial.--It was sent, and Bates was turned out
of his office. For some time nothing more was heard of Mr. Sharpe.--Mr.
Percy, for many months afterward, was busied in rebuilding that part of
his house which had been destroyed by the fire; and as he was naturally
of a sanguine temper, little inclined to occupy himself with cabals and
quarrels, the transaction concerning Bates, and even the attorney's threat
of throwing away the scabbard, passed from his mind. The family pursued
the happy tenour of their lives, without remembering that there was such a
being as Mr. Solicitor Sharpe.




CHAPTER VI.