462 THE BARONET'S DAUGHTER. 



not certain, for we came to England in haste, and Mr. Willoughby's 

 man, who attended him, would never satisfy us as to what took place 

 on the morning of our departure. They did meet, however." 



"And this is all you know," enquired the baronet, after a long 

 pause, during which he had been absorbed in reflection. 

 " It is, Sir." 



"It was his conduct to her," said the baronet half-musingly, "that 

 preyed upon her, that killed her, that murdered her, was it not, 

 child? tell me, you were with her during her illness, from the first, 

 at her bedside when she expired, was not this the cause ?" 



" I think it was," said the girl ; " but my poor mistress was so 

 gentle that she never uttered a word of complaint against Mr. Wil- 

 loughby." 



" She was so gentle," said the baronet in a low tone ; " but she is 

 now in heaven, child, where the weary are at rest." 



" I knew there was something that preyed upon her mind," added 

 the girl, " for my mistress often spoke, when she was delirious, of 

 something that she wished to get back from Mr. Willoughby, some 

 paper, I think it was, she was always referring to it." 



" True, true," said Sir Robert, "she spoke of it when she was 

 dying ; I heard her speak of it. Well, girl, you have told me all you 

 know, and I thank you. Take this," and he handed her some gold, 

 " hereafter I will think of some adequate recompence to you for your 

 attention to my daughter. Good morning." 



"And why delay this longer," said the baronet rising and ringing 

 the bell. " What need of further testimony ? has he not been tried,, 

 judged, and convicted ? do we need proof where the truth is ob- 

 vious ? I have trifled too long ; it is time to be in earnest." 



" Thomas," said he, as the servant entered the room, " I am going 

 out, and shall return in about an hour, let my carriage be in readi- 

 ness. I go to Dover, and shall proceed from thence to Paris. Let 

 there be no delay." 



He followed the servant down stairs. " Get the carriage out at 

 once," said he, as he left the house, " I may be less than an hour 

 gone, and the occasion is urgent." 



In a few minutes the baronet was at the door of Willoughby's 

 house. "Mr. Willoughby is within," said he as the porter appeared, 

 " is he up stairs ?" 



" He is, Sir Robert," said the man. 



" You need not announce me, I will find him myself," and the 

 baronet hastily proceeded up stairs, and laying his hand upon the 

 lock, flung open the door of the parlour. 



Mr. Courtenay was alone, seated by the fire and reading. 

 " Sir Robert Alymer," he cried, rising in alarm, and involuntarily 

 extending his hand. 



" Mr. Courtenay," said the baronet, approaching him and putting 

 by his hand, " where is your master ?" 



"Whom do you mean?" said the priest in agitation. 

 " Your master, or your pupil, which is it ?" said the baronet with a 

 sneer. "Where is he ? Willoughby." 



