d of the hotel, who could say what
disasters might not ensue, in his brother's present frame of mind? If
he made the disclosure on their return to the house, he would be only
running the same risk of consequences, after an interval of delay; and,
if he remained silent, the march of events might, at any moment, lead to
the discovery of what he had concealed. Add to this, that his confidence
in Catherine had been rudely shaken. Having allowed herself to be
entrapped into the deception proposed by her mother, and having thus far
persevered in that deception, were the chances in favor of her
revealing her true position--especially if she was disposed to encourage
Bennydeck's suit? Randal's loyalty to Catherine hesitated to decide
that serious question against the woman whom he had known, trusted, and
admired for so many years. In any event, her second marriage would lead
to one disastrous result. It would sooner or later come to Herbert's
ears. In the meantime, after what Mrs. Presty had confessed, the cruel
falsehood which had checked poor Kitty's natural inquiries raised an
insuperable obstacle to a meeting between father and child.

If Randal shrank from the prospect which thus presented itself to him,
in his relations with his brother, and if his thoughts reverted to
Sydney Westerfield, other reasons for apprehension found their way into
his mind.

He had promised to do his best toward persuading Catherine to grant
Sydney an interview. To perform that promise appeared to be now simply
impossible. Under the exasperating influence of a disappointment for
which she was not prepared, it was hard to say what act of imprudence
Sydney might not commit. Even the chance of successfully confiding her
to Bennydeck's protection had lost something of its fair promise, since
Randal's visit to Sydenham. That the Captain would welcome his friend's
daughter as affectionately as if she had been his own child, was not to
be doubted for a moment. But that she would receive the same unremitting
attention, while he was courting Catherine, which would have been
offered to her under other circumstances, was not to be hoped. Be the
results, however, what they might, Randal could see but one plain
course before him now. He decided on hastening Sydney's introduction to
Bennydeck, and on writing at once to prepare the Captain for that event.

Even this apparently simple proceeding required examination in its
different bearings, before he could b