d
not commit to gain his end. I watch over her constantly, and although my
fear may be groundless, still I believe that her only safety is to marry
at once and to leave court with her husband."

"But you say she despises him?" he asked.

"Yes, she even hates him. Still she is in great danger; perhaps in danger
of her life. We all know that crimes have been committed by this person--
crimes so horrible as to be almost past belief. You remember the parson's
daughter who jumped from a high wall and killed herself to escape him."

"You are her guardian, baron. Let me be her watchdog," said Tyrconnel,
leaning eagerly across the table toward me. "And if I am so fortunate as
to win her love by constant devotion, she shall be my wife."

I offered my hand as a silent compact, and we finished our mutton almost
without another word.

Two days after my interview with Tyrconnel, George Hamilton's _News
Letter_ appeared, containing a vicious attack on the king, which angered
his Majesty greatly and seemed to arouse anew his suspicion that Hamilton
was not in France, some one having told him on a mere suspicion that
George was the editor of the _News Letter_. His Majesty accused Frances
of falsehood in having told him that she had not seen Hamilton and that
she believed he was in France, but she becoming indignant, he again
apologized.

Frances's account of the king's state of mind alarmed me, and I
determined to see George as soon as possible and advise him to leave
England at once. I was delayed in going, but on a cold, stormy day at the
end of a fortnight I found my opportunity, and took boat for the Old
Swan, not minding the snow and sleet, because I was very happy knowing
that I should see Betty. I had of late done all in my power to keep
away from her, but the longing had grown upon me, and I was glad to have
an honest excuse to visit Gracious Street.

I have spoken heretofore of my engagement to marry Mary Hamilton, and
my passion for Betty may indicate that my heart was susceptible, if not
fickle. But aside from Betty's Hebe-like charms of person and sweetness
of disposition, there were other reasons for my falling off respecting
Mary. While she had promised to marry me, still there was a coldness,
perhaps I should say a calmness, in her manner toward me, and a
cautiousness in holding me aloof which seemed to indicate a desire on her
part for a better establishment in life than I could give, if perchance
a better offer