MARK ROSIER EXPOSES THE PLOT. 79 



" One is contrary to law, the other is not, Mark." 



" A y, ay, sir, law — there it is — law and lawyers — cheating, 

 robbing, murdering, may all be done lender the law, but not 

 against it." 



" Well, we can't mend it, Mark." 



" No, but this I'll mend so far, begging your pardon. I'll 

 shoot that young scamp of a lord, and the old un into the bar- 

 gain, before he shall ever carry off that dear, sweet young lady, 

 Miss Blanche. So, squire, if you and Miss Constance won't 

 save her from such a pit-fall as this, I will, sir, that's all, if I 

 swing for it." 



" No, Mark, this shall never be. Remember the command- 

 ment, 'Thou shalt do no murder.' This young lord has a right 

 to try his chance, as well as others. We may expose his and 

 Lord Mervyn's attempts to sail under false colours, and make 

 Miss Douglas the dupe of their dark design ; that is all we have 

 a right to do. I and my sister must consider in what way to 

 make the disclosure." 



" It must be done at once, sir ; mind, the trap is set already, 

 and wants watching night and day. I and Thomas sha'n't 

 have much to do with sleep, I'm thinking, when he comes 

 down, and I hope you won't, sir ; so good night, squire. You'll 

 see me again shortly ; but I mustn't keep you from your com- 

 pany any longer now." 



"Then go and get some supper, Mark, and keep a still 

 tongue on this matter." 



" No fear of that, sir ;" with which they parted. 



On Beauchamp's return to the dining-room, he was asked 

 by his father the name of his visitor. " Mark Rosier," was the 

 reply. 



" Ah ! a little more trickery a-foot, I suppose, Will." 



" Just so, but nothing particularly interesting to our friends 

 here." 



The hint was sufficient to prevent farther questions, although 

 Conyers, who was of the party, resolved to know more about 

 it ; and when they left the dining-room, taking Beauchamp 

 aside, he asked — 



" What had Mark to tell you, Will ? you have been thought- 

 ful and absent ever since. What's the matter % " 



" Something has annoyed me, Bob, that is all." 



" Then if you consider me your friend, Beauchamp, let me 

 share your annoyances and your pleasures equally — your secret 

 shall be safe with me." 



