You also
remember that, while I gave you to understand that we were strongly
attached to each other, I was very far from being enthusiastic about it
as a young lover might be. You did not know the reason then, but it was
simply a question of _blood_.
"In the year 1795 flagrant act of treason was committed against the
Government of Great Britain and His Majesty King George III. My
great-grandfather was then a large property holder, not far from London,
and he figured prominently in public affairs.
"Although he had always been of irreproachable character, trusted and
respected, yet the circumstances were such that suspicion was turned
towards him. A certain officer in the king's army appeared and declared
himself ready to testify as a witness to treasonable acts and words on
the part of my great-grandfather. A warrant was issued for his arrest,
and the process was about to be served when it was discovered that he
had fled. Then his house was searched, and in it was found strong
corroborative evidence. This was nothing less than letters, which, if
genuine, proved without the shadow of doubt that he was guilty. There
was no one to appear in defence of the accused, and he was convicted.
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