longer considered--"

"How, Sir?" cried Thames, advancing, "what is the meaning of your
reference to my name? Have you dared to insult this lady? If so--"

"Insult her!" replied Kneebone, rising, and endeavouring to hide his
embarrassment under a look of defiance. "Far from, it, Sir. I have made
her an honourable proposal of marriage, in compliance with the request
of her lamented parent, whose memory--"

"Dare to utter that falsehood in my hearing again, scoundrel,"
interrupted Thames fiercely, "and I will put it out of your power to
repeat the offence. Leave the room! leave the house, Sir! and enter it
again at your peril."

"I shall do neither, Sir," replied Kneebone, "unless I am requested by
this lady to withdraw,--in which case I shall comply with her request.
And you have to thank her presence, hot-headed boy, that I do not
chastise your insolence as it deserves."

"Go, Mr. Kneebone,--pray go!" implored Winifred. "Thames, I entreat--"

"Your wishes are my laws, beloved, girl," replied Kneebone, bowing
profoundly. "Captain Darren," he added, sternly, "you shall hear from
me."

"When you please, Sir," said Thames, coldly.

And the woollen-draper departed.

"What is all this, dear Winny?" inquired Thames, as soon as they were
alone.

"Nothing--nothing," she answered, bursting into tears. "Don't ask me
about it now."

"Winny," said Thames, tenderly, "something which that self-sufficient
fool has said has so far done me a service in enabling me to speak upon
a subject which I have long had upon my lips, but have not had courage
to utter."

"Thames!"

"You seem to doubt my love," he continued,--"you seem to think that
change of circumstances may produce some change in my affections. Hear
me then, now, before I take one step to establish my origin, or secure
my rights. Whatever those rights may be, whoever I am, my heart is
yours. Do you accept it?"

"Dear Thames!"

"Forgive this ill-timed avowal of my love. But, answer me. Am I
mistaken? Is your heart mine?"

"It is--it is; and has ever been," replied Winifred, falling upon his
neck.

Lovers' confidences should be respected. We close the chapter.

CHAPTER VII.

Jack Sheppard warns Thames Darrell.

On the following night--namely Monday,--the family assembled together,
for the first time since the fatal event, in the chamber to which Thames
had been introduced on his arrival at Dollis Hill. As this had been Mrs.
Wood's favourite sitt