THE SMUGGLER. 99 



as possible, I have perhaps foolishly, perhaps even wrongly, 

 drawn this wretched young man away from her whenever I 

 had an opportunity. I do not think it was coquetry, as my 

 uncle calls it; nay, I am sure it was not, for I abhor him as 

 much as any one; but I thought that as there was no chance 

 of my ever being driven to marry him, I could bear the inflic- 

 tion of his conversation better than my poor sister." 



" The motive was a kind one, at all events," replied Sir 

 Edward Digby; " but then I may firmly believe that there is 

 no chance whatever of Miss Croyland giving her hand to 

 .Richard Radford?" 



"None, none whatever,'' answered his fair companion. 

 But at that point of their conversation one of the windows 

 above was thrown up, and the voice of Mrs. Barbara was 

 heard exclaiming: " Zara, my love, put on your hat; you will 

 catch cold if you walk in that way with your hat on your arm, 

 in such a cold, misty morning 1" 



Miss Croyland looked up, nodding to her aunt; and doing 

 as she was told, like a very good girl as she was. But the 

 next instant she said, in a low tone, " Good Heaven! there is 

 his face at the window I My unlucky aunt has roused him by 

 calling to me; and we shall not be long without him." 



" Who do you mean?" asked the young officer, turning his 

 eyes towards the house, and seeing no one. 



" Young Radford," answered Zara. " Did you not know 

 that they had to carry him to bed last night, unable to stand ? 

 So my maid told me; and I saw his face just now at the win- 

 dow, next to my aunt's. We shall have little time, Sir 

 Edward, for he is as intrusive as he is disagreeable ; so tell me 

 at once what I am to think regarding poor Harry Layton. 

 Does he still love Edith? Is he in a situation to enable him 

 to seek her, without affording great, and what they would 

 consider reasonable causes of objection?" 



" He loves her as deeply and devotedly as ever," replied 

 Sir Edward Digby; " and all I have to tell him will but, if 

 possible, increase that love. Then as to his situation, he is 

 now a superior officer in the army, highly distinguished, com- 

 manding one of our best regiments, and sharing largely in the 

 late great distribution of prize-money. There is no position 

 that can be filled by a military man to which he has not a 

 right to aspire; and, moreover, he has already received, 



