ve been wiser
had he remained at home, and looked more narrowly after his
establishment. He found that he had been deceived--of that there could
be no doubt. Information which he naturally expected would have been
given to him had been withheld. He knew that this being the case, he
was not likely to force it out of his dependents. He went on,
therefore, quietly making inquiries, now of one, now of the other, and
though he did not gain the whole truth, he ascertained enough to assure
him that it would be wiser not to push his inquiries much further. Had
he become aware of the exact state of the case, he would have
undoubtedly been far more satisfied than he was; but cunning men are
often caught in their own snares, and miss the mark at which they are
aiming.

It was remarked that, after a time, he took far more interest in little
Ronald Morton than he had at first done, and seemed not at all surprised
at finding the child so constantly with his daughter. He even made some
attempts to play with it, but they were not very successful, and the
little fellow invariably made his escape from him as soon as he could.

The time fixed for Edda's marriage had now arrived, and Colonel Armytage
was daily expected. Sir Marcus mentioning this to Hilda, remarked, "You
will let that child remain with Bertha Eswick while Armytage is here. I
do not object to your petting him, but it is fit that you should pay all
the attention in your power to your intended brother-in-law."

There might have been far more order and regularity in the castle after
the master's return, but everybody felt an uncomfortable sensation of
oppression whenever he was present. The only sun which shed any light
through the surrounding atmosphere was his daughter Edda. Full of life
and animation, nothing could quell her spirits, and in most cases she
had only to appear to dispel the gloom.

Poor Lawrence, even more than any one else, felt the weight of his
guardian's presence whenever he was compelled to remain at home; but he
had the resource--of which he never failed to avail himself when the
weather allowed him--of going out in his boat, of wandering about the
island on Neogle, with Surly Grind, or of visiting his cavern. Sir
Marcus had gained that influence over him which a man of strong mind
usually obtains over one of weak intellect, and he was thus often able
to make him say the very things which he purposely intended to keep
secret. Still Lawren