er to keep up this
horrible imposture."

"Hush!" she whispered, "the servants will soon be down--they may hear
us. Oh, you cannot mean, Richard, what you say."

"I told Humphrey yesterday," continued Richard, "that I begged he would
care for you; but that is only for the present. As soon as I can find
means to earn my bread, I will keep you both myself; so that you shall
be spared the disgrace of taking alms from the man you wronged."

"Fool--idiot--mad boy!" hissed Mrs Lloyd, seizing his arm angrily, and
shaking it. "You shall not act like this. I've been nearly thirty
years building this up, and do you think I will have it crushed down
like that? Say a word if you dare!"

"If I dare!" exclaimed Richard. "Do you know that Humphrey does more
than suspect, that he knows all--heard all from your own lips in the
lane yesterday?"

Mrs Lloyd's jaw dropped.

"The true-hearted, honest fellow refused to take advantage of his
position."

"Of course, yes," cried Mrs Lloyd. "We'll pay him out, and let him go.
Yes, he shall have Polly," she added, with a look of pleasure on her
troubled face.

"Enough of this," said Richard, firmly. "Loose my arm. Some day I may
be able to talk to you again. Now, go to your room, and make
arrangements either for leaving, or make your peace with your new lord.
He loves little Polly, and that will act as a shield for you."

"I say you shall not give in," cried Mrs Lloyd, in a hoarse, angry
voice.

But he dragged his arm free, and dashed up the stairs.

End of Volume Two.

Volume 3, Chapter I.

MISTAKEN ZEAL.

In the course of the morning Richard grew calmer. He had a long
interview with Humphrey, giving him plenty of advice as to his future
proceedings; and then sending for Mr Mervyn, whom Humphrey happened to
mention as a gentleman in whom he had great confidence.

But the messenger was not needed, for Mr Mervyn was coming up the
drive, and he was sent on another errand, with a couple of notes to
Penreife--one to Sir Hampton, the other to Tiny.

"I was on my way here, Mr Trevor," he began.

"My name is Richard Lloyd, Mr Mervyn," said Richard, quietly.

"Yes--yes," said Mr Mervyn, "I have heard. It is all over the place."

"So soon?" said Richard, bitterly.

"Yes; and directly I heard," said Mervyn, "I came up. But, my dear sir,
it's like a romance; it can't be true."

"It's true enough," said Richard, coldly.

"But under the circumstances, Mr Trev--Lloyd,"