declare solemnly that it was only in so far as the facts
we were so anxious to establish might have enabled us to prevent this
accursed union, that I myself felt an interest in our success. Miss
Gourlay's happiness was my sole motive of action."

"I believe you, sir," replied Birney; "but in the meantime we are
completely at a stand. Chance, it is true, may throw something in our
way; but, in the present position of circumstances, chance, nay, all the
chances are against us."

"It is unfortunately too true," replied the stranger; "there is not a
single opening left for us; we are, on the contrary, shut out completely
in every direction. I shall write, however, to a lady who possesses much
influence with Miss Gourlay; but, alas, to what purpose? Miss Gourlay
herself has no influence whatever; and, as to her father, he does not
live who could divert him from his object. His vile ambition only in
the matter of his daughter could influence him, and it will do so to her
destruction, for she cannot survive this marriage long."

"You look thin, and a good deal careworn," observed Birney, "which,
indeed, I am sorry to see. Constant anxiety, however, and perpetual
agitation of spirits will wear any man down. Well, I must bid you good
morning; but I had almost forgotten to inquire about poor Fenton. Any
trace of him during my absence?"

"Not the slightest. In fact, every point is against us. Lady Gourlay has
relapsed into her original hopelessness, or nearly so, and I myself am
now more depressed than I have ever been. Parish register, documents,
corrupt knaves, and ungrateful traitors--perish all the machinery of
justice on the one hand, and of villainy on the other; only let us
succeed in securing Miss Gourlay's happiness, and I am contented. That,
now and henceforth, is the absorbing object of my life. Let her be
happy; let her be but happy--and this can only be done by preventing her
union with this heartless young man, whose principal motive to it is her
property."

Birney then took his departure, leaving his friend in such a state of
distress, and almost of despair, on Lucy's account, as we presume our
readers can very sufficiently understand, without any further assistance
from us. He could not, however, help congratulating himself on his
prudence in withholding from Miss Gourlay the sanguine expectations
which he himself had entertained upon the result of Birney's journey to
France. Had he not done so, he knew that s