essly and tremblingly awaiting the result. Suddenly, but
still silently, as though the figure were a phantom, and the dagger
air-drawn, the boy rose from the ground, and held the weapon as if
irresolute whether to strike or not. The manner in which he stood fully
convinced Barbara Iverk that Burrell was the object of some intended
attack--she tried to shriek, but the voice choked in her throat. As
rapidly as this mysterious being had risen from, he sank into his
former crawling attitude, and disappeared. All this occurred in much
less time than has been occupied in relating it, and the poor maiden
almost thought she had been deceived by some supernatural appearance.
She was soon aroused from her painful state of voiceless terror by the
words of Burrell, who now spoke more loudly than at first.

"I will give him his liberty this very night, which of course, under the
circumstances I have mentioned, he cannot fail to consider a most deep
obligation--an act of disinterested generosity. I will give it him
secretly, of course; and you meet him on his exit. As we go along, I
will settle the where--and then--the matter is easily concluded."

"Very easily for you, doubtless," retorted Roupall; "you had ever the
way, master, of keeping your neck out of the noose. How much of the coin
did you say?"

Barbara did not hear the reply.

"Why it's only one more. Is he young?"

"Yes."

"I don't like young customers. It's a charity to put the old out of the
way; for, be they ever so well off, they must be sick and weary of the
world. But the young--I don't like it, master."

"Pshaw! it's only saving him in time from that which gives old men
trouble; and life can go but once: besides, I will not stand for the
matter of a few broad-pieces. I care not if I make the sum half as much
more, provided it be done safely."

"Will you give me your note of hand to it?"

"Do you take me for a fool?--or did you ever know me to break my word?"

"I never took ye for the first, Sir Willmott, and, as to the other,
we've had no business between us lately. Half as much more, you said?"

"Half as much more."

"Well, it is but one, and then--ah! ah! ah!--I'll reform and turn
gentleman. No, d--n it, I hate gentlemen, they're so unprincipled; but
you must double--double or quits."

"Jack Roupall, you are an unconscionable scoundrel."

"By the lady-moon, then, there be a pair of us."

Burrell muttered some reply that Barbara did not hear, but a