455 



burden to me. One moment more, listen to me ; I had almost 

 sworn to let this secret, for there is a secret, die with me, but you 

 will not have it so ; I will then, do this, I will confess to Mr. Cour- 

 tenay to-morrow morning- all that is in my mind, all that weighs 

 upon it; and if he decides that you ought to be told, that you should 

 know all, be it so. We have gone so far that there is no help for it." 



" Do you promise that? do you promise that?" cried the baronet, 

 clapping his hands together, and rising from his seat. *' Willoughby, 

 you are a villain, but you are a brave one ; and when all is confessed 

 will you give me satisfaction, eh ? will you fight me?" 



" I will, if you require it." 



" Good, good," said the baronet, " your hand upon it. There," 

 and he flung the hand of Willoughby from him, " I have humbled 

 myself enough for what has passed this night. It will wash off, I 

 dare say ; you may retire to your bed, t shall not visit you again." 



The baronet took the candle and walked to the door. " Remem- 

 ber !" said he, as he looked back, " I must not be trifled with, I have 

 your word." 



" Of honour/' said Willoughby. 



" You swear well," said the baronet with a sneer, " as I have 

 sworn, by the dead ;" and he closed the door after him and retired 

 to his own apartment. 



CHAPTER III. 



About nine o'clock Sir Robert descended from his room after 

 having completed his toilette, and entered the breakfast parlour with 

 a firm step and an air of easy indifference. The priest was already 

 there, seated at one of the windows apparently absorbed in deep re- 

 flection. 



" Good morning, Courtenay," said the baronet, as, having ap- 

 proached, he laid his hand upon his shoulder. 



" Ha ! good morning, Sir Robert," stammered the priest, " I did 

 not hear you : my mind was wandering." 



" We have had a stormy night," observed the baronet, " and from 

 the appearance of the clouds, I should augur that we shall have more 

 of this weather ; but, heavens! man, how pale you look! What 

 is the matter? Are you unwell?" 



"Do I look so?" said Courtenay, "I have been agitated, Sir 

 Robert, by something that has " 



"Did you hear any thing last night?" interrupted the baronet 

 hastily. 



" 1 did not," answered the priest, " except the storm without, I 

 heard nothing." 



The baronet turned away, and walked to the other end of the room, 



" Have you seen Willoughby this morning?" he enquired after a 

 pause. 



" I have seen him, Sir Robert," replied Courtenay. 



" Where is he ?" 



He is gone to give orders respecting his carriage, he departs im- 

 mediately, and it may be as well to inform you," added the priest, 



