ce is better. He had never seen Sybil since
the morning he quitted her in Smith's Square, immediately before her
departure for the North. The trial of Gerard had taken place at the
assizes of that year: he had been found guilty and sentenced to eighteen
months imprisonment in York Castle; the interference of Egremont both
in the House of Commons and with the government saved him from the
felon confinement with which he was at first threatened, and from which
assuredly state prisoners should be exempt. During this effort some
correspondence had taken place between Egremont and Sybil, which
he would willingly have encouraged and maintained; but it ceased
nevertheless with its subject. Sybil, through the influential
interference of Ursula Trafford, lived at the convent at York during the
imprisonment of her father, and visited him daily.

The anxiety to take the veil which had once characterised Sybil had
certainly waned. Perhaps her experience of life had impressed her with
the importance of fulfilling vital duties. Her father, though he
had never opposed her wish, had never encouraged it; and he had now
increased and interesting claims on her devotion. He had endured great
trials, and had fallen on adverse fortunes. Sybil would look at him,
and though his noble frame was still erect and his countenance still
displayed that mixture of frankness and decision which had distinguished
it of yore, she could not conceal from herself that there were ravages
which time could not have produced. A year and a half of imprisonment
had shaken to its centre a frame born for action, and shrinking at all
times from the resources of sedentary life. The disappointment of
high hopes had jarred and tangled even the sweetness of his noble
disposition. He needed solicitude and solace: and Sybil resolved that if
vigilance and sympathy could soothe an existence that would otherwise be
embittered, these guardian angels should at least hover over the life of
her father.

When the term of his imprisonment had ceased, Gerard had returned with
his daughter to Mowbray. Had he deigned to accept the offers of his
friends, he need not have been anxious as to his future. A public
subscription for his service had been collected: Morley, who was well
to do in the world, for the circulation of the Mowbray Phalanx daily
increased with the increasing sufferings of the people, offered his
friend to share his house and purse: Hatton was munificent; there was
n