y, was very effective in
another. It shook Henry Little terribly; and the effect was enhanced
by an anonymous letter he received, reminding him there were plenty of
noiseless weapons. Brinsley had been shot twice, and no sound heard.
"When your time comes, you'll never know what hurt you." The sense of
a noiseless assassin eternally dogging him preyed on Little's mind
and spirits, and at last this life on the brink of the grave became so
intolerable that he resolved to leave Hillsborough, but not alone.

He called on Grace Carden, pale and agitated.

"Grace," said he, "do you really love me?"

"Oh, Henry! Do I love you?"

"Then save me from this horrible existence. Oh, my love, if you knew
what it is to have been a brave man, and to find your courage all oozing
away under freezing threats, that you know, by experience, will be
followed by some dark, subtle, bloody deed or other. There, they have
brought me down to this, that I never go ten steps without looking
behind me, and, when I go round a corner, I turn short and run back, and
wait at the corner to see if an assassin is following me. I tremble at
the wind. I start at my own shadow."

Grace threw her arms round his neck, and stopped him with tears and
kisses.

"Ah, bless you, my love!" he cried, and kissed her fondly. "You pity
me--you will save me from this miserable, degrading life?"

"Ah, that I will, if I can, my own."

"You can."

"Then tell me how."

"Be my wife--let us go to the United States together. Dearest, my
patents are a great success. We are making our fortune, though we risk
our lives. In America I could sell these inventions for a large sum, or
work them myself at an enormous profit. Be my wife, and let us fly this
hellish place together."

"And so I would in a moment; but" (with a deep sigh) "papa would never
consent to that."

"Dispense with his consent."

"Oh, Henry; and marry under my father's curse!"

"He could not curse you, if he love you half as well as I do; and if he
does not, why sacrifice me, and perhaps my life, to him?"

"Henry, for pity's sake, think of some other way. Why this violent haste
to get rich? Have a little patience. Mr. Raby will not always be
abroad. Oh, pray give up Mr. Bolt, and go quietly on at peace with these
dreadful Trades. You know I'll wait all my life for you. I will implore
papa to let you visit me oftener. I will do all a faithful, loving girl
can do to comfort you."

"Ay," said Henry, b