THE SMUGGLER. 89 



lasting ; and not only that, but although most profound, they 

 are sure to be known in five minutes to the whole world. 

 Try to conceal them how she may, they are sure to drop out 

 before the day is over; and, whatever good schemes she may 

 have against any one, no defence is needed, for they are sure 

 to frustrate themselves. What are you laughing at, Sir Ed- 

 ward? Has she begun upon you already?'' 



"Nay, not exactly upon me," answered Sir Edward Digby. 

 " She certainly did let drop some words which showed me 

 she had some scheme in her head, though whom it referred to 

 I am at a loss to divine." 



"Nay, nay, now you are not frank," cried the young lady. 

 " Tell me this moment, if you would have me hold you good 

 knight and true ! Was it me or Edith that it was all 

 about? Nay, do not shake your head, my good friend, for I 

 will know, depend upon it ; and if you do not tell me, I will 

 ask my aunt myself " 



" Nay, for Heaven's sake, do not!" exclaimed Sir Edward. 

 " You must not make your aunt think that I am a tell-tale." 



"Oh, I know, I know!" exclaimed the fair girl, clapping 

 her hands eagerly, " I can divine it all in a minute. She has 

 been telling you what an excellent good girl Zara Croyland is, 

 and what an admirable wife she would make, especially for any 

 man moving in the highest society, and hinting, moreover, 

 that she is fond of military men, and, in short, that Sir Edward 

 Digby could not do better. I know it all, I know it all, as 

 well as if I had heard it! But now, my dear sir/' she con- 

 tinued, in a graver tone, " put all such nonsense out of your 

 head, if you would have us such good friends as I think we may 

 be. Leave my dear aunt's schemes to unravel and defeat 

 themselves, or only think of them as a matter of amusement, 

 and do not for a moment believe that Zara Croyland has 

 either any share in them, or any design of captivating you 

 or any other man whatsoever; for I tell you fairly, and at 

 once, that I never intend, that nothing would induce me no, 

 not if my own dearest happiness depended upon it, to marry, 

 and leave poor Edith to endure all that she may be called upon 

 to undergo. I will talk to you more about her another time; 

 for I think that you already know something beyond what you 

 have said to-day; but we are too near the house now, and I 

 will only add, that I have spoken frankly to Sir Edward Digby 



