inwaring would have no choice but to contradict us. Once put on his
guard, he would control his very sadness. Lucretia, offended, might
leave your house, and certainly she would regard her sister as having
influenced your confession,--a position unworthy Miss Mivers. But do not
fear: if the evil be so, it carries with it its inevitable remedy. Let
Lucretia discover it herself; but, pardon me, she must have seen, at
your first reception of Mainwaring, that he had before been acquainted
with you?"

"She was not in the room when we first received Mainwaring; and I have
always been distant to him, as you may suppose, for I felt disappointed
and displeased. Of course, however, she is aware that we knew him before
she did. What of that?"

"Why, do you think, then, he told her at Laughton of this
acquaintance,--that he spoke of Susan? I suspect not."

"I cannot say, I am sure," said Mr. Fielden.

"Ask her that question accidentally; and for the rest, be discreet, my
dear sir. I thank you for your confidence. I will watch well over my
poor young pupil. She must not, indeed, be sacrificed to a man whose
affections are engaged elsewhere."

Dalibard trod on air as he left the house; his very countenance had
changed; he seemed ten years younger. It was evening; and suddenly, as
he came into Oxford Street, he encountered a knot of young men--noisy
and laughing loud--obstructing the pavement, breaking jests on the more
sober passengers, and attracting the especial and admiring attention of
sundry ladies in plumed hats and scarlet pelisses; for the streets then
enjoyed a gay liberty which has vanished from London with the lanterns
of the watchmen. Noisiest and most conspicuous of these descendants of
the Mohawks, the sleek and orderly scholar beheld the childish figure
of his son. Nor did Gabriel shrink from his father's eye, stern and
scornful as it was, but rather braved the glance with an impudent leer.

Right, however, in the midst of the group, strode the Provencal, and
laying his hand very gently on the boy's shoulder, he said: "My son,
come with me."

Gabriel looked irresolute, and glanced at his companions. Delighted at
the prospect of a scene, they now gathered round, with countenances
and gestures that seemed little disposed to acknowledge the parental
authority.

"Gentlemen," said Dalibard, turning a shade more pale, for though
morally most resolute, physically he was not brave,--"gentlemen, I must
beg you to excu