5 2 THE SMUGGLER. 



called thought than the hovering of the hawk can be called 

 flight. Such was the occupation of Sir Edward Digby, as I 

 have said, for several minutes, and then he went on to his con- 

 clusions. " She loves him still," he said to himself; "of that 

 I feel sure. She is true to him still, and steadfast in her truth. 

 Whatever may have been said or done has not been hers, and 

 that is a great point gained ; for now, with station, rank, dis- 

 tinction, and competence at least, he presents himself in a very 

 different position from any which he could assume before ; and 

 unless on account of some unaccountable prejudice, the old 

 gentleman can have no objection. Oh, yes, she loves him 

 still, I feel very sure! The calm gravity of that beautiful face 

 has only been written there so early by some deep and un- 

 changed feeling. We never see the sparkling brightness of 

 youth so shadowed but by some powerful and ever-present 

 memory, which, like the deep bass notes of a fine instrument, 

 gives a solemn tone even to the liveliest music of life. She 

 can smile, but the brow is still grave: there is something un- 

 derneath it ; and we must find out exactly what that is. Yet 

 I cannot doubt ; I am sure of it. Here, Somersl are not those 

 things ready yet? I shall be too late for dinner." 



"Oh, no, sir!" replied the man, coming in, and putting up 

 the back of his hand to his head, in military fashion. "Your 

 honour won't be too late. The great bell rings always half-an- 

 hour before, then Mr. Radford is always a quarter of an hour 

 behind his time." 



"I wonder who Mr. Radford is!" said Sir Edward Digby, 

 as if speaking to himself. "He seems a very important person 

 in the county." 



"I can tell you, sir," said the man; "he is or was the 

 richest person in the neighbourhood, and has got Sir Robert 

 quite under his thumb, they say. He was a merchant, or a 

 shopkeeper, the butler told me, in Hythe. But there was 

 more money came in than ever went through his counting- 

 house, and what between trading one way or another, he 

 got together a great deal of riches, bought this place here in 

 the neighbourhood, and set up for a gentleman. His son is 

 to be married to Miss Croyland, they say; but the servants 

 think that she hates him, and fancy that he would himself 

 rather have her sister." 



The latter part of this speech was that which interested Sir 



