partial
friend to Jasper Losely; that, for some reason or other, Poole was no
less anxious than the Colonel to get that formidable client, whose cause
he so warmly advocated, pensioned and packed off into the region most
remote from Great Britain in which a spirit hitherto so restless might
consent to settle. And although Mr. Poole had evidently taken offence
at Mr. Darrell's discourteous rebuff of his amiable intentions, yet
no grudge against Darrell furnished a motive for conduct equal to his
Christian desire that Darrell's peace should be purchased by Losely's
perpetual exile. Accordingly, Colonel Morley took leave, with a
well-placed confidence in Poole's determination to do all in his power
to induce Jasper to listen to reason. The Colonel had hoped to learn
something from Poole of the elder Losely's present residence and
resources. Poole, as we know, could give him there no information. The
Colonel also failed to ascertain any particulars relative to that
female pretender on whose behalf Jasper founded his principal claim to
Darrell's aid. And so great was Poole's embarrassment in reply to all
questions on that score--Where was the young person? With whom had she
lived? What was she like? Could the Colonel see her, and hear her own
tale?--that Alban entertained a strong suspicion that no such girl was
in existence; that she was a pure fiction and myth; or that, if Jasper
were compelled to produce some petticoated fair, she would be an artful
baggage hired for the occasion.

Poole waited Jasper's next visit with impatience and sanguine delight.
He had not a doubt that the ruffian would cheerfully consent to allow
that, on further inquiry, he found he had been deceived in his belief of
Sophy's parentage, and that there was nothing in England so peculiarly
sacred to his heart, but what he might consent to breathe the freer air
of Columbian skies, or even to share the shepherd's harmless life
amidst the pastures of auriferous Australia! But, to Poole's ineffable
consternation, Jasper declared sullenly that he would not consent to
expatriate himself merely for the sake of living.

"I am not so young as I was," said the bravo; "I don't speak of years,
but feeling. I have not the same energy; once I had high spirits--they
are broken; once I had hope--I have none: I am not up to exertion; I
have got into lazy habits. To go into new scenes, form new plans, live
in a horrid raw new world, everybody round me bustling and p