s journal, on which Pracontal relies so
implicitly; and in the event of the failure--that I foresee and would
risk a bet upon--I would employ the disappointment as a useful agent in
dissuading Pracontal from farther pursuit.

"'I strongly urge you, therefore, not to withhold this permission. It
seems rash to say that a man ought to furnish his antagonist with a
weapon to fight him; but you have always declared you want nothing but
an honest, fair contest, wherein the best man should win. You have also
said to me that you often doubted your own actual sincerity. You can
test it now, and by a touchstone that cannot deceive. If you say
to Pracontal, "There's the key, go in freely; there is nothing to
hide--nothing to fear," you will do more to strengthen the ground
you stand on than by all the eloquence of your lawyer; and if I know
anything of this Frenchman, he is not the man to make an ill requital
to such a generous confidence. Whatever you decide on, reply at once.
I have no time for more, but will take my letter with me and add a line
when I reach Ireland.

"'Liscownor, Friday Night

"'They were quite right; there was a most audacious fraud concocted, and
a few days will enable me to expose it thoroughly. I 'm glad Lord
Culduff had nothing to say to it, but more for your sake than his. The
L'Estranges are safe; they'll have every shilling of their money, and
with a premium, too.'"

Nelly laid down the letter and looked over to where George and his
sister sat, still and motionless. It was a moment of deep feeling and
intense relief, but none could utter a word. At last Julia said,--

"What a deal of kindness there is in that man, and how hard we felt it
to believe it, just because he was vulgar. I declare I believe we must
be more vulgar still to attach so much to form and so little to fact."

"There is but one line more," said Nelly, turning over the page.

"'Pracontal has lost all his spirits. He has been over to see a
place belonging to a Mr. Longworth here, and has come back so sad and
depressed as though the visit had renewed some great sorrow. We have not
gone to Bishop's Folly yet, but mean to drive over there to-morrow. Once
more, write to me.

"'Yours ever,

"'T. Cutbill.'"

"I shall not give this permission," said Bramleigh, thoughtfully.
"Sedley's opinion is decidedly adverse, and I shall abide by it."

Now, though he said these words with an air of apparent determination,
he spoke in reality