at I most desired; and yet there was within me a
vague feeling, akin to suspicion--akin to dismay which chilled and overcast
my soul.

'But, Maud,' he said, 'I am disquieted to think of that stupid jackanapes
presuming to make you such an offer! A creditable situation truly--arriving
in the dark at Elverston, under the solitary escort of that wild young man,
with whom you would have fled from my guardianship; and, Maud, I tremble as
I ask myself the question, would he have conducted you to Elverston at all?
When you have lived as long in the world as I, you will appreciate its
wickedness more justly.' Here there was a little pause.

'I know, my dear, that were he convinced of his legal marriage with that
young woman,' he resumed, perceiving how startled I looked, 'such an idea,
of course, would not have entered his head; but he does not believe any
such thing. Contrary to fact and logic, he does honestly think that his
hand is still at his disposal; and I certainly do suspect that he would
have employed that excursion in endeavouring to persuade you to think as he
does. Be that how it may, however, it is satisfactory to me to know that
you shall never more be troubled by one word from that ill-regulated young
man. I made him my adieux, such as they were, this evening; and never more
shall he enter the walls of Bartram-Haugh while we two live.'

Uncle Silas replaced the papers which had ostensibly interested him so
much, and returned. There was a vein which was visible near the angle
of his lofty temple, and in moments of agitation stood out against the
surrounding pallor in a knotted blue cord; and as he came back smiling
askance, I saw this sign of inward tumult.

'We can, however, afford to despise the follies and knaveries of the world,
Maud, as long as we act, as we have hitherto done, with perfect confidence
in each other. Heaven bless you, dear Maud! Your report troubled me, I
believe, more than it need--troubled me a good deal; but reflection assures
me it is nothing. He is gone. In a few days' time he will be on the sea. I
will issue my orders to-morrow morning, and he will never more, during his
brief stay in England, gain admission to Bartram-Haugh. Good-night, my good
niece; I thank you.'

And so I returned to Mary Quince, on the whole happier than I had left
her, but still with the confused and jarring vision I could not interpret
perpetually rising before me; and as, from time to time, shapeless
anxieti