h other better. This subject is one that it becomes us to treat
with all the strength of our reason--with all the calm which either can
impose upon the feelings that ruffle judgment. At present, talk we of
all matters except that, which I promise you shall be fairly discussed
at last."

Darrell found, however, that his most effective diversion from the
subject connected with Sophy was through another channel in the old
man's affections, hopes, and fears. George Morley, in repeating the
conversation he had overheard between Waife and Jasper, had naturally,
while clearing the father, somewhat softened the bravado and cynicism
of the son's language, and more than somewhat brightened the touches of
natural feeling by which the bravado and cynicism had been alternated.
And Darrell had sufficient magnanimity to conquer the repugnance with
which he approached a name associated with so many dark and hateful
memories, and, avoiding as much as possible distinct reference to
Jasper's past life, to court a consultation on the chances of saving
from the worst the life that yet remained. With whom else, indeed, than
Jasper's father could Darrell so properly and so unreservedly discuss a
matter in which their interest and their fear were in common?--As though
he were rendering some compensation to Waife for the disappointment he
would experience when Sophy's claims came to be discussed--if he could
assist in relieving the old man's mind as to the ultimate fate of the
son for whom he had made so grand a sacrifice, Darrell spoke to Waife
somewhat in detail of the views with which he had instructed Colonel
Morley to find out and to treat with Jasper. He heard from the Colonel
almost daily. Alban had not yet discovered Jasper, nor even succeeded
in tracing Mrs. Crane! But an account of Jasper's farewell visit to
that den of thieves, from which he had issued safe and triumphant,
had reached the ears of a detective employed by the Colonel, and on
tolerably good terms with Cutts; and it was no small comfort to know
that Jasper had finally broken with those miscreant comrades, and
had never again been seen in their haunts. As Arabella had introduced
herself to Alban by her former name, and neither he nor Darrell was
acquainted with that she now bore, and as no questions on the subject
could be put to Waife during the earlier stages of his illness, so it
was several days before the Colonel had succeeded in tracing her out as
Mrs. Crane of Podd