feeling towards those who love you, and whom you love. I don't mean to intimate any foul play. But I can see plainly how all about you must have wished to establish just such a delusion as, I am sure, has taken possession of Ann's mind and yours."

"I understand all this; and while it awakens something like hope, it fills me with alarm to think of what may happen while I am here. On your hypothesis, the first point in the game would be Ann's marriage."

"Or yours."

"Oh, mine is out of the question; and after what has passed between Ann and me, they must be aware of that. Besides, I am here; and my absence, which renders the one more impracticable, may favour the other."

"I am not so sure of that. Ann has never before been absent from you more than a day or two at a time. She has been happy, and, as you said of yourself, has probably never analyzed the elements of her happiness. If I am right, she will miss something in your absence which may set her to thinking. If she once finds out the secret of her own heart, you have nothing to fear but from injurious misrepresentations.'

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"Of them there can be no danger."

"Of calumny and malicious slander, none, certainly; but I would not swear that she does not believe you engaged to Miss Howard."

"It is well, then, I did not visit Castle Howard in my way to the West."

"That's as it may be. We have no time to lose here, William. I am impatient to bring matters to a close with this caitiff; and as soon as that is done we must be off. My preparations are begun, and will be easily completed; and if all works well to-morrow night, why, then, we will take with us the prayers of the church for all who travel by land and by water, on Sunday morning."

It may be readily believed that this conversation did not leave me in a very comfortable state of mind. I remembered the disproportionate distress of Ann at the intimation of my passion, and the prudish austerity with which Jane reproved what she seemed to consider a glaring impropriety, but what was, to me, the exercise of a natural right. I remembered how the door of explanation had been shut in my face, and how I had been denied all access to Ann until I had bound myself, by a solemn promise, to seek no explanation. Such had been the effect of that promise, as I now saw clearly; and I trembled to think of the irreparable mischief which might be done in my absence in furtherance of the designs which I now suspected for the first time. The suggestions of Balcombe all seemed to stand before me self-proved. I tried to see the motives of others in the most favourable light, and I brought myself to agree that it was my duty to forgive all that had been attempted; while I felt that it would

be impossible to do so, unless I should be so fortunate as to defeat the attempt. My impatience to return to Virginia hecame excessive, and was the more restless, because I had no part in what was doing, although my interest in the affair was greater than that of any other person.

CHAPTER XX.

"Friendship was never made for me,
Too poor to have a friend.

Give, and I'll take, whate'er it be,
Or borrow, if you'll lend.

And I'll be grateful to the last

While you have aught to give.
Favours to come, not favours past,
Are those by which I live."

I ACCORDINGLY determined to urge Balcombe to reconsider his scruples, and to endeavour to obtain the token from James Scott at once. He agreed to make the experiment, and we accordingly sought James, whom we found in my room closely engaged with a book. Balcombe now told him that on the next morning he was to meet Montague, who would then comply with the proper conditions, so as to entitle himself,

according to Mary's instructions, to receive the parcel intended for him.

"You have it about you?" inquired Balcombe.

"Oh, yes, sir," said he; showing, at the same time, a small paper, which looked as if it might contain such a little casket as is commonly used to hold a single ring. It was tied up with several threads of silk, all of which were secured at the intersection by a seal.

"I will take it, then, James," said Balcombe, carelessly, "and deliver it to Mr. Montague, when he has done the needful on his part."

The young man hesitated, and said,

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I am afraid that will not be right, sir. My sister made me promise that I would not give this to any one upon earth but Montague."

"But, James, she has committed the whole negotiation to me; and it is therefore necessary for me to have this casket, that I may give it to Montague according to our agreement."

"He shall have it, sir; my orders are to give it to him, as soon as you say the word, and not before; and I will do it. I will go with you, and when you tell me to give it to him, he shall have it."

"Surely," said I, "you can trust Mr. Balcombe."

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'I certainly can," replied he; "and I hope Mr. Balcombe does not suppose that there is any distrust of him in my conduct."

"None at all, my dear boy," said Balcombe; "I understand you perfectly."

"But what if I tell you," said I, "that that casket is of more importance to me than to Montague, and that I have a better right to it than he or any other person."

The young man started, stared at me in amazement, then looked doubtingly at Balcombe, and said,

"No; I will not believe it. This was no plan of yours, Mr. Balcombe, to get this deposite into your hands, in order that any one but Montague might obtain it."

"Indeed it was not, James."

"How is this, then, sir ?" said he, turning upon me with some fierceness. But his manner became immediately mild, and even tender. "I know you," he continued, "as Mr. Balcombe's friend, but I know you in no other character; and I cannot take it kindly of you, sir, to wish to beguile me into a breach of trust. As to any interest you have in the matter, I don't see it, and if I did I should be but the more on my guard."

"He is right, nevertheless, James," said Balcombe. "He has a great interest in the matter; he has been very much wronged by this same Montague; and the possession of that parcel. would enable him to right himself."

"I am sorry for it, sir; and, as I am sure my poor sister would not wrong any man, I wish you