the house."

He heard me, and instantly placed himself between us. "Let her promise,
or she shan't go."

She felt, as I felt, the imperative necessity of saying anything that
might soothe him. At a sign from me she gave him her promise to return.

He was satisfied--he insisted on kissing her hand, and then he let
her go. I had by this time succeeded in inducing him to trust me. He
proposed, of his own accord, that I should accompany him to the inn in
the village at which he had been staying. The landlord (naturally enough
distrusting his wretched guest) had warned him that morning to find some
other place of shelter. I engaged to use my influence with the man to
make him change his purpose, and I succeeded in effecting the necessary
arrangements for having the poor wretch properly looked after. On my
return to my own house, I wrote to a brother magistrate living near
me, and to the superintendent of our county asylum, requesting them
to consult with me on the best means of lawfully restraining Captain
Stanwick until we could communicate with his relations. Could I have
done more than this? The event of the next morning answered that
question--answered it at once and forever.

III.

PRESENTING myself at Nettlegrove Hall toward sunset, to take charge of
Miss Laroche, I was met by an obstacle in the shape of a protest from
her aunt.

This good lady had been informed of the appearance of Captain Stanwick
in the park, and she strongly disapproved of encouraging any further
communication with him on the part of her niece. She also considered
that I had failed in my duty in still leaving the Captain at liberty.
I told her that I was only waiting to act on the advice of competent
persons, who would arrive the next day to consult with me; and I did my
best to persuade her of the wisdom of the course that I had taken in
the meantime. Miss Laroche, on her side, was resolved to be true to the
promise that she had given. Between us, we induced her aunt to yield on
certain conditions.

"I know the part of the park in which the meeting is to take place," the
old lady said; "it is my niece's favorite walk. If she is not brought
back to me in half an hour's time, I shall send the men-servants to
protect her."

The twilight was falling when we reached the appointed place. We found
Captain Stanwick angry and suspicious; it was not easy to pacify him
on the subject of our delay. His insanity seemed to me to be now more
marked t