sturbed at this incident, which he seemed sensible
could not but fill Fairford's imagination with an additional throng of
bewildering suspicions; he bit his lip and muttered something to himself
as he walked through the apartment; then suddenly turned to his visitor
with a smile of much sweetness, and a countenance in which every rougher
expression was exchanged for those of courtesy and kindness.

'The visit we have been just honoured with, my young friend, has given
you,' he said, 'more secrets to keep than I would have wished
you burdened with. The lady is a person of condition--of rank and
fortune--but nevertheless is so circumstanced that the mere fact of her
being known to be in this country would occasion many evils. I should
wish you to observe secrecy on this subject, even to Redgauntlet or
Maxwell, however much I trust them in all that concerns my own affairs.'

'I can have no occasion,' replied Fairford, 'for holding any discussion
with these gentlemen, or with any others, on the circumstance which
I have just witnessed--it could only have become the subject of my
conversation by mere accident, and I will now take care to avoid the
subject entirely.'

'You will do well, sir, and I thank you,' said the father, throwing much
dignity into the expression of obligation which he meant to convey. 'The
time may perhaps come when you will learn what it is to have obliged one
of my condition. As to the lady, she has the highest merit, and nothing
can be said of her justly which would not redound to her praise.
Nevertheless--in short, sir, we wander at present as in a morning
mist--the sun will, I trust, soon rise and dispel it, when all that now
seems mysterious will be fully revealed--or it will sink into rain,'
he added, in a solemn tone, 'and then explanation will be of little
consequence.--Adieu, sir; I wish you well.'

He made a graceful obeisance, and vanished through the same side-door by
which the lady had entered; and Alan thought he heard their voices high
in dispute in the adjoining apartment.

Presently afterwards, Ambrose entered, and told him that a horse and
guide waited him beneath the terrace.

'The good Father Buonaventure,' added the butler, 'has been graciously
pleased to consider your situation, and desired me to inquire whether
you have any occasion for a supply of money?'

'Make my respects to his reverence,' answered Fairford, 'and assure
him I am provided in that particular. I beg you al