s
morning in your cousin Philip's handwriting, and with a London
postmark. Will you read it?"

"Read it--yes; anything from the father of my inamorata will be
welcome."

She fetched the letter and gave it him. He read it aloud. After a page
of congratulations on his convalescence, it ended,

"And now I want to make a proposal to you--viz., to buy back the
Isleworth lands from you. I know that the place is distasteful to you,
and will probably be doubly so after your severe illness; but, if you
care to keep the house and grounds, I am not particularly anxious to
acquire them. I am prepared to offer a good price," &c. &c.

"I'll see him hanged first," was George's comment. "How did he get the
money?"

"Saved it and made it, I suppose."

"Well, at any rate, he shall not buy me out with it. No, no, Master
Philip; I am not fond enough of you to do you that turn."

"It does not strike you," she said, coldly, "that you hold in your
hands a lever that may roll all your difficulties about this girl out
of the way."

"By Jove, you are right, Anne. Trust a woman's brain. But I don't want
to sell the estates unless I am forced to."

"Would you rather part with the land, or give up your project of
marrying Angela Caresfoot?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because you will have to choose between the two."

"Then I had rather sell."

"You had better give it up, George. I am not superstitious, but I have
knowledge in things that you do not understand, and I foresee nothing
but disaster in this plan."

"Once and for all, Anne, I will not give it up whilst I have any
breath left in my body, and I take my oath that unless you help me,
and help me honestly, I will expose you."

"Oh! I am your very humble servant; you may count on me. The galley-
slave pulls well when the lash hangs over his shoulders," and she
laughed coldly.

Just then a servant announced that Mr. Caresfoot was at the door, and
anxious to speak to his cousin. He was ordered to show him into the
drawing-room. As soon as he had gone on his errand, George said,

"I will not see him; say I am too unwell. But do you go, and see that
you make the most of your chance."

Lady Bellamy nodded, and left the room. She found Philip in the
drawing-room.

"Ah! how do you do, Mr. Caresfoot? I come from your cousin to say that
he cannot see you to-day; he has scarcely recovered sufficiently from
the illness through which I have been nursing him; but of course you
know al