122 THE SMUGGLER, 



CHAPTER XII. 



WE will now, by the reader's good leave, return for a short 

 time to Harbourne House, where the party sat down to break- 

 fast, at the inconveniently early hour of eight. I will not 

 take it upon myself to say that it might not be a quarter of an 

 hour later, for almost everything is after its time on this globe, 

 and Harbourne House did not differ in this respect from all 

 the rest of the world. From the face of young Radford, 

 towards the countenance of Sir Edward Digby, shot some very 

 furious glances as they took their places at the breakfast-table ; 

 but those looks gradually sunk down into a dull and sullen 

 frown, as they met with no return. Sir Edward Digby, in- 

 deed, seemed to have forgotten the words which had passed 

 between them as soon as they had been uttered; and he 

 laughed, and talked, and conversed with every one as gaily 

 as if nothing had happened. Edith was some ten minutes 

 behind the rest at the meal, and seemed even more depressed 

 than the night before ; but Zara had reserved a place for her 

 at her own side ; and taking the first opportunity, while the 

 rest of the party were busily talking together, she whispered 

 a few words in her ear. Sir Edward Digby saw her face 

 brighten in a moment, and her eyes turn quickly towards him- 

 self; but he took no notice ; and an interval of silence occurring 

 the next moment, the conversation between the two sisters was 

 interrupted. 



During breakfast a servant brought in a note and laid it 

 on the side-board, and after the meal was over, Miss Croyland 

 retired to her own room to make ready for her departure. 

 Zara was about to follow; but good Mrs. Barbara, who had 

 heard some sharp words pass between the two gentlemen, and 

 had remarked the angry looks of young Radford, was deter- 

 mined that they should not quarrel without the presence of 

 ladies, and consequently called her youngest niece back, saying, 

 in a whisper, " Stay here, my dear. I have a particular 

 reason why I want you not to go." 



" I will be back in a moment, my dear aunt," replied Zara; 

 but the worthy old lady would not suffer her to depart ; and 



