so remote but that
you can hear any appeal which your daughter may be pleased to make. Her
call would reach your ears without effort. My own security depends, not
less than that of your nephew, upon your compliance with the condition
under which only will I undertake to save him."

These suggestions prevailed. Suspecting the stranger to be one whose
evidence would point to the true criminal, himself an offender, he at
length assented to the arrangement, and, after a few minutes' further
dialogue, he left the room. As he retired, the stranger carefully locked
the door, a movement which somewhat alarmed the maiden; but the
respectful manner with which he approached her, and her own curiosity
not less than interest in the progress of the event, kept her from the
exhibition of any apprehensions.

The stranger drew nigh her. His glances, though still respectful, were
fixed, long and searchingly, upon her face. He seemed to study all its
features, comparing them, as it would seem, with his own memories. At
length, as with a sense of maidenly propriety, she sternly turned away,
he addressed her:--

"Miss Colleton has forgotten me, it appears, though I have some claim to
be an old acquaintance. I, at least, have a better memory for my
friends--I have not forgotten _her_."

Edith looked up in astonishment, but there was no recognition in her
glance. A feeling of mortified pride might have been detected in the
expression of his countenance, as, with a tone of calm unconsciousness,
she replied--

"You are certainly unremembered, if ever known, by me, sir. I am truly
sorry to have forgotten one who styles himself my friend."

"Who was--who is--or, rather, who is now willing again to be your
friend, Miss Colleton," was the immediate reply.

"Yes, and so I will gladly call you, sir, if you succeed in what you
have promised."

"I have yet promised nothing, Miss Colleton."

"True, true! but you say you have the power, and surely would not
withhold it at such a time. Oh, speak, sir! tell me how you can serve us
all, and receive my blessings and my thanks for ever."

"The reward is great--very great--but not greater--perhaps not as great,
as I may demand for my services. But we should not be ignorant of one
another in such an affair, and at such a time as this. Is it true, then,
that Miss Colleton has no memory which, at this moment, may spare me
from the utterance of a name, which perhaps she herself would not be
altogethe