niece, I trust you with every inferior
responsibility toward her and toward me. Give me your hand, sir; tell
me, on your word of honor, that you will provide for your wife as
becomes her position and your means, and the question of settlements is
decided between us from this moment at once and forever!" Having carried
out Magdalen's instructions in this lofty tone, he threw open his
respectable frockcoat, and sat with head erect and hand extended, the
model of parental feeling and the picture of human integrity.

For one moment Noel Vanstone remained literally petrified by
astonishment. The next, he started from his chair and wrung the hand of
his magnanimous friend in a perfect transport of admiration. Never yet,
throughout his long and varied career, had Captain Wragge felt such
difficulty in keeping his countenance as he felt now. Contempt for the
outburst of miserly gratitude of which he was the object; triumph in the
sense of successful conspiracy against a man who had rated the offer
of his protection at five pounds; regret at the lost opportunity
of effecting a fine stroke of moral agriculture, which his dread of
involving himself in coming consequences had forced him to let slip--all
these varied emotions agitated the captain's mind; all strove together
to find their way to the surface through the outlets of his face or his
tongue. He allowed Noel Vanstone to keep possession of his hand, and to
heap one series of shrill protestations and promises on another, until
he had regained his usual mastery over himself. That result achieved,
he put the little man back in his chair, and returned forthwith to the
subject of Mrs. Lecount.

"Suppose we now revert to the difficulty which we have not conquered
yet," said the captain. "Let us say that I do violence to my own habits
and feelings; that I allow the considerations I have already mentioned
to weigh with me; and that I sanction your wish to be united to my niece
without the knowledge of Mrs. Lecount. Allow me to inquire in that case
what means you can suggest for the accomplishment of your end?"

"I can't suggest anything," replied Noel Vanstone, helplessly. "Would
you object to suggest for me?"

"You are making a bolder request than you think, Mr. Vanstone. I never
do things by halves. When I am acting with my customary candor, I am
frank (as you know already) to the utmost verge of imprudence. When
exceptional circumstances compel me to take an opposite course,