an, in the extremity of
astonishment--'Sister, I presume, in affection only?'

'No, sir; my dear brother Darsie and I are connected by the bonds of
actual relationship; and I am not sorry to be the first to tell this to
the friend he most values.'

Fairford's first thought was on the violent passion which Darsie had
expressed towards the fair unknown. 'Good God!' he exclaimed, 'how did
he bear the discovery?'

'With resignation, I hope,' said Lilias, smiling. 'A more accomplished
sister he might easily have come by, but scarcely could have found one
who could love him more than I do.'

'I meant--I only meant to say,' said the young counsellor, his presence
of mind failing him for an instant--'that is, I meant to ask where
Darsie Latimer is at this moment.'

'In this very house, and under the guardianship of his uncle, whom I
believe you knew as a visitor of your father, under the name of Mr.
Herries of Birrenswork.'

'Let me hasten to him,' said Fairford; 'I have sought him through
difficulties and dangers--I must see him instantly.'

'You forget you are a prisoner,' said the young lady.

'True--true; but I cannot be long detained--the cause alleged is too
ridiculous.'

'Alas!' said Lilias, 'our fate--my brother's and mine, at least--must
turn on the deliberations perhaps of less than an hour. For you, sir, I
believe and apprehend nothing; but some restraint; my uncle is neither
cruel nor unjust, though few will go further in the cause which he has
adopted.'

'Which is that of the Pretend'--

'For God's sake speak lower!' said Lilias, approaching her hand, as if
to stop him. 'The word may cost you your life. You do not know--indeed
you do not--the terrors of the situation in which we at present stand,
and in which I fear you also are involved by your friendship for my
brother.'

'I do not indeed know the particulars of our situation,' said Fairford;
'but, be the danger what it may, I shall not grudge my share of it
for the sake of my friend; or,' he added, with more timidity, 'of my
friend's sister. Let me hope,' he said, 'my dear Miss Latimer, that
my presence may be of some use to you; and that it may be so, let
me entreat a share of your confidence, which I am conscious I have
otherwise no right to ask.'

He led her, as he spoke, towards the recess of the farther window of the
room, and observing to her that, unhappily, he was particularly exposed
to interruption from the mad old man whose entrance