Allen even thought that his uncle showed a little veiled
appreciation of the joke, but this was not deemed possible by the
rest.
To exonerate young Richards was the first requisite, and Allen, under
his uncle's eye, drew up a brief note to this effect:—-
"SIR,-—We beg to apologise for the mischief done in your grounds, and
to assure you on our word and honour that it was suggested by no one,
that no one admitted us, and no one had any share in it except
ourselves.
"ALLEN BROWNLOW.
"ROBERT FRIAR BROWNLOW.
"ROBERT OTWAY BROWNLOW.
"JOHN FRIAR BROWNLOW.
"JOHN LUCAS BROWNLOW."
This letter was taken up the next morning to Belforest by Colonel
Brownlow, and the two eldest delinquents, one, curious, amused, and
with only compunction enough to flavour an apology, the other cross,
dogged, and sheepish, dragged along like a cur in a sling, "just as
though he were going to be hanged," said Janet.
The report of the expedition as given by Allen was thus:-—"The
servant showed us into a sort of anteroom, and said he would see
whether his master would see us. Uncle Robert sent in his card and
my letter, and we waited with the door open, and a great screen in
front, so that we couldn't help hearing every word.
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