salvation--
I am not guilty. I thank you, sir, thank you sincerely, for the
interest you have shown for me; I feel grateful, excessively grateful,
and the more so for what you have said of Mary; but if you were to
remain here for a month, you could gain no more from me than you have
already."

"After such an avowal, it is useless my stopping here," said Mr Trevor;
"I must make what defence I can, for your sister's sake."

"Many, many thanks, sir, for your kindness; I am really grateful to
you," replied Joey.

Mr Trevor remained for a minute scanning the countenance or our hero.
There was something in it so clear and bright, so unflinching, so
proclaiming innocence, and high feeling, that he sighed deeply as he
left the cell.

His subsequent interview with Mary was short; he explained to her the
difficulties arising from the obstinacy of her brother; but at the same
time expressed his determination to do his best to save him.

Mary, as soon as she had seen Mr Trevor, set off on her return to the
Hall. As soon as she went to Mrs Austin, Mary apprised her of Mr
Trevor's having consented to act as counsel for our hero, and also of
Joey's resolute determination not to divulge the secret.

"Madam," said Mary, after some hesitation, "it is my duty to have no
secret from you: and I hope you will not be angry when I tell you that I
have discovered that which you would have concealed."

"What have you discovered, Mary?" asked Mrs Austin, looking at her with
alarm.

"That Joseph Rushbrook is your own son," said Mary, kneeling down and
kissing the hand of her mistress. "The secret is safe with me, depend
upon it," she continued.

"And how have you made the discovery, Mary; for I will not attempt to
deny it?"

Mary then entered into a detail of her conversation with Mr Trevor.
"He asked me," said she, "as the sister of Joey, if we had any
relatives, and I replied, `No;' so that he has no suspicion of the fact.
I beg your pardon, madam, but I could not keep it from Joey; I quite
forgot my promise to you at the time."

"And what did my poor child say?"

"That he would not see you until after his trial; but, when his fate was
decided, he should like to see you once more. Oh, madam, what a painful
sacrifice! and yet, now, I do not blame him; for it is his duty."

"My dread is not for my son, Mary; he is innocent; and that to me is
everything; but if my husband was to hear of his being about to be
tried, I know not