own
free will! It is so unlike my Marian--my patient, long-suffering Marian;
I can scarcely believe such a thing possible. But that question can soon
be put at rest. Write to her, Gilbert; tell her that I have been at
death's door; that my chance of recovery hangs upon her will. Father or
no father, _that_ will bring her to my side."

"I will do so, directly I know her address."

"You do not know where she is?"

"Not yet. I am expecting to obtain that information every day. I have
taken measures to ascertain where she is."

"And how do you know that she is with her father?"

"I have the lawyer's authority for that; a lawyer whom the old man, Jacob
Nowell, trusted, whom he left sole executor to his will."

It was necessary above all things that John Saltram's mind should be set
at rest; and in order to secure this result Gilbert was fain to affect a
supreme faith in Mr. Medler.

"You believe this man, Gilbert?" the invalid asked anxiously.

"Of course. He has no reason for deceiving me."

"But why withhold the father's address?"

"It is easy enough to conjecture his reasons for that; a dread of your
influence robbing him of his daughter. Her fortune has made her a prize
worth disputing, you see. It is natural enough that the father should
wish to hide her from you."

"For the sake of the money?--yes, I suppose that is the beginning and end
of his scheme. My poor girl! No doubt he has told her all manner of lies
about me, and so contrived to estrange that faithful heart. Will you
insert an advertisement in the _Times_, Gilbert, under initials, telling
her of my illness, and entreating her to come to me?"

"I will do so if you like; but I daresay Nowell will be cautious enough
to keep the advertisement-sheet away from her, or to watch it pretty
closely, and prevent her seeing anything we may insert. I am taking means
to find them, John I, must entreat you to rest satisfied with that."

"Rest satisfied,--when I am uncertain whether I shall ever see my wife
again! That is a hard thing to do."

"If you harass yourself, you will not live to see her again. Trust in me,
John; Marian's safety is as dear to me as it can be to you. I am her
sworn friend and brother, her self-appointed guardian and defender. I
have skilled agents at work; we shall find her, rely upon it."

It was a strange position into which Gilbert found himself drifting; the
consoler of this man who had so basely robbed him. They could never be