26 Mistress Jane Lane. 
had one very near shave of being discovered in this house by his 
own chaplain, Dr. Gorges. This cleric, who for a while had given 
up theology and was studying physic, dined with Mr. and Mrs. 
Norton, and was very inquisitive about William Jackson when he 
saw Miss Lane sending up meat to him from the table. He asked 
many questions as to whether he had been properly treated for ague, 
&c., and nothing would satisfy the worthy doctor but going to visit 
the patient in his room. The King retired to the darkest side, and 
answered all the questions put to him as well as he could, but he 
was right glad to get rid of him. Poor Mrs. Norton in the meantime 
was taken unexpectedly ill, and though Jane did not like to leave 
her relative in this condition, yet she considered it advisable to get 
the King away to Trent House for better security, To show the 
Debate, House of | animus which prevailed at this time, there was a 
cera ae certain Sir Thomas Clifford who actually employed 
Pepy’s Diary, people at his own cost to watch the out ports to 
a iliae prevent the escape of the King. The King and 
1826. Mistress Lane, therefore, boldly concocted a letter, 
purporting to come from the lady’s father to say he was ill, and 
wished her to return home. The sick hostess could say nothing 
against this, and Lord Wilmot was secretly despatched by the King 
to Colonel Wyndham’s to prepare him to receive the Royal fugitive. 
Thanks, no doubt, to the wonderful posset, Will Jackson’s ague 
disappeared, and on Tuesday morning, September 16th, Miss Lane 
once more became his guardian angel. Whether it was from a shy 
fit, or that his pleasant-spoken Majesty had really been whispering 
soft nothings in her ear, I know not, but Jane agreed with William 
Boscobel. that on this occasion he should ride single, and take 
charge of her portmanteau instead of herself! Nothing 
re of consequence occurred to mar these arrangements, and 
vert though their guide, Henry Rogers, took them through 
p- 666. the heart of Somersetshire, they arrived safely at Castle 
Cary, near Bruton, and slept there, at the house of a Mr. Edward 
Kirton, without having excited suspicion. On the following morning 
they continued their journey and arrived at Trent, which was some 
twenty-six miles from Leigh. Here the King was in comparative 
