
in every place where he deemed it possible she could have taken refuge. All day
long, nothing, save a draught of water, passed his lips; though he prosecuted
his inquiries far and wide, and never so much as sat down, once.
    In every quarter he could think of; at Chigwell and in London; at the houses
of the tradespeople with whom he dealt, and of the friends he knew; he pursued
his search. A prey to the most harrowing anxieties and apprehensions, he went
from magistrate to magistrate, and finally to the Secretary of State. The only
comfort he received was from this minister, who assured him that the Government,
being now driven to the exercise of the extreme prerogatives of the Crown, were
determined to exert them; that a proclamation would probably be out upon the
morrow, giving to the military, discretionary and unlimited power in the
suppression of the riots; that the sympathies of the King, the Administration,
and both Houses of Parliament, and indeed of all good men of every religious
persuasion, were strongly with the injured Catholics; and that justice should be
done them at any cost or hazard. He told him, moreover, that other persons whose
houses had been burnt, had for a time lost sight of their children or their
relatives, but had, in every case, within his knowledge, succeeded in
discovering them; that his complaint should be remembered, and fully stated in
the instructions given to the officers in command, and to all the inferior
myrmidons of justice; and that everything that could be done to help him, should
be done, with a good-will and in good faith.
    Grateful for this consolation, feeble as it was in its reference to the
past, and little hope as it afforded him in connection with the subject of
distress which lay nearest to his heart; and really thankful for the interest
the minister expressed, and seemed to feel, in his condition; Mr. Haredale
withdrew. He found himself, with the night coming on, alone in the streets; and
destitute of any place in which to lay his head.
    He entered an hotel near Charing Cross, and ordered some refreshment and a
bed. He saw that his faint and worn appearance attracted the attention of the
landlord and his waiters; and thinking that they might suppose him to be
penniless, took out his purse, and laid it on the table. It was not that, the
landlord said, in a faltering voice. If he were one of those who had suffered by
the rioters, he durst not give him entertainment. He
