e would be in no
way changed in my affection. Raise yourself," he said; "good and ill are
a chimera; there is nought in life except destiny, and however you may
be circumstanced there is one at your side who will help you to the
last."

Thus encouraged, Silas gathered himself together, and in a broken voice,
and helped out by the Doctor's interrogations, contrived at last to put
him in possession of the facts. But the conversation between the Prince
and Geraldine he altogether omitted, as he had understood little of its
purport, and had no idea that it was in any way related to his own
misadventure.

"Alas!" cried Dr. Noel, "I am much abused, or you have fallen innocently
into the most dangerous hands in Europe. Poor boy, what a pit has been
dug for your simplicity! into what a deadly peril have your unwary feet
been conducted! This man," he said, "this Englishman, whom you twice
saw, and whom I suspect to be the soul of the contrivance, can you
describe him? Was he young or old? tall or short?"

But Silas, who, for all his curiosity, had not a seeing eye in his head,
was able to supply nothing but meagre generalities, which it was
impossible to recognise.

"I would have it a piece of education in all schools!" cried the Doctor
angrily. "Where is the use of eyesight and articulate speech if a man
cannot observe and recollect the features of his enemy? I, who know all
the gangs of Europe, might have identified him, and gained new weapons
for your defence. Cultivate this art in future, my poor boy; you may
find it of momentous service."

"The future!" repeated Silas. "What future is there left for me except
the gallows?"

"Youth is but a cowardly season," returned the Doctor; "and a man's own
troubles look blacker than they are. I am old, and yet I never despair."

"Can I tell such a story to the police?" demanded Silas.

"Assuredly not," replied the Doctor. "From what I see already of the
machination in which you have been involved, your case is desperate upon
that side; and for the narrow eye of the authorities you are infallibly
the guilty person. And remember that we only know a portion of the plot;
and the same infamous contrivers have doubtless arranged many other
circumstances which would be elicited by a police inquiry, and help to
fix the guilt more certainly upon your innocence."

"I am then lost, indeed!" cried Silas.

"I have not said so," answered Dr. Noel, "for I am a cautious man."

"But look