t of this
princely house to-morrow, branded as a pretender and an impostor, I
should go forth better,--not only better, but happier. Ay, that's the
point; happier than I ever was as the lord of these broad acres!" As he
spoke he tore his cravat from his throat, as though it were strangling
him by its pressure, and now walked the room, carrying the neckcloth in
his hand, while the veins in his throat stood out full and swollen like
a tangled cordage.

L'Estrange was so much frightened by the wild voice and wilder gesture
of the man, that he could not utter a word in reply.

Bramleigh now came over, and leaning his hand on the other's shoulder,
in a tone of kind and gentle meaning, said,--

"It is not your fault, my dear friend, that you are illogical and
unreasonable. You are obliged to defend a thesis you do not understand,
by arguments you cannot measure. The armory of the Church has not a
weapon that has not figured in the Middle Ages; and what are you to do
with halberds and cross-bows in a time of rifles and revolvers! If a
man, like myself, burdened with a heavy weight on his heart, had gone to
his confessor in olden times, he would probably have heard, if not words
of comfort, something to enlighten, to instruct, and to guide him. Now
what can you give me? tell me that? I want to hear by what subtleties
the Church can reconcile me not to do what I ought to do, and yet not
quarrel with my own conscience. Can you help me to that?"

L'Estrange shook his head in dissent.

"I suppose it is out of some such troubles as mine that men come to
change their religion." He paused; and then bursting into a laugh, said,
"You hear that the other bank deals more liberally,--asks a smaller
commission, and gives you a handsomer interest,--and you accordingly
transfer your account. I believe that's the whole of it."

"I will not say you have stated the case fairly," said. L'Estrange;
but so faintly as to show that he was far from eager to continue the
discussion, and he arose to take his leave.

"You are going already? and I have not spoken to you one word
about,--what was it? Can you remember what it was? Something that
related personally to yourself."

"Perhaps I can guess, sir. It was the mine at Liscon-nor, probably? You
were kind enough the other day to arrange my securing some shares in the
undertaking. Since that, however, I have heard a piece of news which may
affect my whole future career. There has been some repor