now escaped from him, resounding fearfully in the
solitary chambers. He had found it! The letter was clutched tightly in
his trembling hands as he read the first lines. It was in the same hand
as the others, it was the writing of his rival, Von Kindar, her beau
cousin.

Lord Elliot folded the paper carefully and hid it in his bosom; then
throwing the others into the drawer, he locked it, placing the key in
the portfolio.

"It is well," said he, "I have now all I need. This letter is his
death-warrant."

He took the light and left the room. Fifteen minutes had just elapsed
when he entered his daughter's chamber. The nurse advanced to meet him,
the child and a bundle of clothes in her arms, and received the promised
gold piece.

"Now, we must hasten," said he, stepping into the hall.

They passed silently through the house, down the steps, and into the
court-yard. Lord Elliot walked hastily on, followed by the wondering
nurse. He stopped at the stable door, calling loudly upon the coachman
to get up and prepare the horses. At twelve o'clock the coachman was to
go for his mistress; he was therefore dressed, and had only laid down
for a short nap.

"Put the horses to the carriage," repeated Lord Elliot.

The coachman, raising his lamp, threw a full glare of light upon the
stranger.

"I do not know you," said he, roughly; "I receive orders from no one but
my mistress."

For answer, Lord Elliot drew from his breast a pocket pistol.

"If you are not ready in five minutes, I will shoot you through the
head," said Lord Elliot, quietly, tapping the trigger.

"For God's sake, obey him, John," cried the nurse; "it is his excellency
Lord Elliot!"

In five minutes the carriage was ready, owing much more to the loaded
pistol still in Lord Elliot's hand than to the conviction that this
strange, angry-looking man was his master.

"To the depot!" cried Lord Elliot, placing the child and nurse in the
carriage, then jumping in after them--"to the depot in all haste!"

They reached the building in a few minutes. There stood the horses in
readiness, and beside them Lord Elliot's servant, with his baggage. He
sprang from the carriage, and, giving the coachman a douceur, ordered
him to loosen the horses and return home with them.

"But, your honor," stammered the mystified coachman, "how am I to call
for my lady if you take the carriage?"

"My lady can wait," said Lord Elliot, jeeringly. "If she reproaches you,
tell her