ther, when he saw that Alan had
perused his letter, 'that, by accepting charge of this missive, you bind
yourself to try the effect of it before having recourse to any legal
means, as you term them, for your friend's release.'

'There are a few ciphers added to this letter,' said Fairford, when he
had perused the paper attentively,--'may I inquire what their import
is?'

'They respect my own affairs,' answered the father, briefly; 'and have
no concern whatever with yours.'

'It seems to me, however,' replied Alan, 'natural to suppose'--

'Nothing must be supposed incompatible with my honour,' replied the
priest, interrupting him; 'when such as I am confer favours, we expect
that they shall be accepted with gratitude, or declined with thankful
respect--not questioned or discussed.'

'I will accept your letter, then,' said Fairford, after a minute's
consideration, 'and the thanks you expect shall be most liberally paid,
if the result answer what you teach me to expect.'

'God only commands the issue,' said Father Buonaventure. 'Man uses
means. You understand that, by accepting this commission, you engage
yourself in honour to try the effect of my letter upon Mr. Redgauntlet,
before you have recourse to informations or legal warrants?'

'I hold myself bound, as a man of good faith and honour, to do so,' said
Fairford.

'Well, I trust you,' said the father. 'I will now tell you that an
express, dispatched by me last night, has, I hear, brought Redgauntlet
to a spot many miles nearer this place, where he will not find it safe
to attempt any violence on your friend, should he be rash enough to
follow the advice of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees rather than my commands.
We now understand each other.'

He extended his hand towards Alan, who was about to pledge his faith in
the usual form by grasping it with his own, when the father drew
back hastily. Ere Alan had time to comment upon this repulse, a small
side-door, covered with tapestry, was opened; the hangings were
drawn aside, and a lady, as if by sudden apparition, glided into the
apartment. It was neither of the Misses Arthuret, but a woman in the
prime of life, and in the full-blown expansion of female beauty, tall,
fair, and commanding in her aspect. Her locks, of paly gold, were taught
to fall over a brow, which, with the stately glance of the large, open,
blue eyes, might have become Juno herself; her neck and bosom were
admirably formed, and of a dazzling whit