l the laws of nations, he is bound to submit himself to his conqueror.
I cannot even hope that he may escape with his freedom. No! chains
for life! Thrice happy, indeed, if that be the merciful sentence you
inflict."

He raised Sophy's hand to his lips as he ended, and before she could
even quite comprehend the meaning of his words--so was she startled,
confused, incredulous of such sudden change in fate--the door had closed
on Darrell, and Waife had clasped her to his breast, murmuring, "Is not
Providence kind?"

Darrell rejoined the scholar. "George," said he, "be kind enough to tell
Alban that you showed me his letter. Be kind enough also to write to
Lady Montfort, and say that I gratefully acknowledge her wish to repair
to me those losses which have left me to face age and the grave alone.
Tell her that her old friend (you remember, George, I knew her as a
child) sees in that wish the same sweet goodness of heart which soothed
him when his son died and his daughter fled. Add that her wish is
gratified. To that marriage in which she compassionately foresaw the
best solace left to my bereaved and baffled existence--to that marriage
I give my consent."

"You do! Oh, Mr. Darrell, how I honour you!"

"Nay, I no more deserve honour for consenting than I should have
deserved contempt if I had continued to refuse. To do what I deemed
right is not more my wish now than it was twelve hours ago. To what so
sudden a change of resolve, in one who changes resolves very rarely,
may be due, whether to Lady Montfort, to Alban, or to that metaphysical
skill with which you wound into my reason, and compelled me to review
all its judgments, I do not attempt to determine; yet I thought I had
no option but the course I had taken. No; it is fair to yourself to give
you the chief credit; you made me desire, you made me resolve, to find
an option--I have found one. And now pay your visit where mine has
been just paid. It will be three days, I suppose, before Lionel, having
joined his new regiment at * * *, can be here. And then it will be
weeks yet, I believe, before his regiment sails; and I'm all for short
courtships."

CHAPTER VI.

FAIRTHORN FRIGHTENS SOPHY. SIR ISAAC IS INVITED BY DARRELL, AND
FORMS ONE OF A FAMILY CIRCLE.

Such a sweet voice in singing breaks out from yon leafless beeches!
Waife hears it at noon from his window. Hark! Sophy has found song once
more.

She is seated on a garden bench, looking acros