ly she would not be the fitting, intercessor on behalf of
Sophy. His thoughts then turned to his uncle, Darrell's earliest friend,
not suspecting that Colonel Morley was actually the person whom Darrell
had already appointed his adviser and representative in all transactions
that might concern the very parties under discussion. But just as he
was about to suggest the expediency of writing to Alban to return to
England, and taking him into confidence and consultation, Lady Montfort
resumed, in a calmer voice and with a less troubled countenance:

"Who should be the pleader for one whose claim, if acknowledged, would
affect his own fortunes, but Lionel Haughton?--Hold!--look where yonder
they come into sight--there by the gap in the evergreens. May we not
hope that Providence, bringing those two beautiful lives together, gives
a solution to the difficulties which thwart our action and embarrass our
judgment? I conceived and planned a blissful romance the first moment
I gathered fran Sophy's artless confidences the effect that had been
produced on her whole train of thought and feeling by the first meeting
with Lionel in her childhood; by his brotherly, chivalrous kindness,
and, above all, by the chance words he let fall, which discontented her
with a life of shift and disguise, and revealed to her the instincts of
her own holiest truthful nature. An alliance between Lionel Haughton
and Sophy seemed to me the happiest possible event that could befall
Guy Darrell. The two branches of his family united--a painful household
secret confined to the circle of his own kindred--granting Sophy's
claim never perfectly cleared up, but subject to a tormenting
doubt--her future equally assured--her possible rights equally
established--Darrell's conscience and pride reconciled to each other.
And how, even but as wife to his young kinsman, he would learn to love
one so exquisitely endearing!" [Lady Montfort paused a moment, and then
resumed.] "When I heard that Mr. Darrell was about to marry again, my
project was necessarily arrested."

"Certainly," said George, "if he formed new ties, Sophy would be less
an object in his existence, whether or not he recognised her birth. The
alliance between her and Lionel would lose many of its advantages; and
any address to him on Sophy's behalf would become yet more ungraciously
received."

LADY MONTFORT.--"In that case I had resolved to adopt Sophy as my
own child; lay by from my abundant income a