THE SMUGGLER. 259 



of his present fortune; and such feelings naturally communi- 

 cated some portion of their acerbity to the expression of his 

 countenance, which no effort could totally banish. 



He gazed upon Sir Robert Groyland, then, with a keen and 

 inquiring look, not altogether untinged with that sort of pity 

 which amounts to scorn; and, after a momentary pause, he 

 said, " Well, Croyland, you have heard all, I suppose!" 



"No, not all; not all, Radford," answered the baronet, hesi- 

 tating; "I was going out to inquire?" 



" I can save you the trouble, then," replied Mr. Radford, 

 drily. " I am ruined. That is to say, in the two last ventures 

 I have lost considerably more than a hundred thousand pounds." 



Sir Robert Croyland waved his head sadly, saying, "Terrible, 

 terrible 1 But what can be done?" 



"Oh! several things," answered Mr. Radford, "and that is 

 what I have come to speak to you about, because the first must 

 rest with you, my excellent good friend." 



" But where is your son, poor fellow?" asked the baronet, 

 eager to avoid, as long as possible, the point to which their 

 conversation was tending. " They tell me he was well nigh 

 taken ; and, after there has been blood shed, that would have 

 been destruction. Do you know they came and searched this 

 house for him?'' 



"No, I had not heard of that, Croyland," replied Mr. Rad- 

 ford ; " but he is near enough, well enough, and safe enough to 

 marry your fair daughter." 



"Ay, yes," answered Sir Robert; "that must be thought 

 of, and" 



" Oh dear, no I" cried the other, interrupting him; "it has 

 been thought of enough already, Croyland: too much, perhaps; 

 now, it must be done." 



"Well, I will go over to Edith at once," said the baronet, 

 " and I will urge her, by every inducement. I will tell her, 

 that it is her duty, that it is my will, and that she must arid 

 shall obey." 



Mr. Radford rose slowly off his seat, crossed over the rug 

 to the place where Sir Robert Croyland was placed; and, 

 leaning his hand upon the arm of the other's chair, he bent 

 down his head, saying in a low but very clear voice, and 

 perfectly distinct words, " Tell her, her father's life depends 

 upon itP 



