THE SMUGGLER. 283 



It changed my nature and my character. He forced me to 

 wink at frauds that I detested, and every year he pressed for 

 the completion of your marriage with his son. Your coldness, 

 your dislike, your refusal would, long ere this, have driven 

 him into fury, I believe, if Eichard Kadford had been eager 

 for your hand himself. But now, Edith, now, my child, he 

 will hear of no more delay. He is ruined in fortune, disap- 

 pointed in his expectations, and rendered fierce as a hungry 

 beast by some events that have taken place this morning. He 

 has just now been over at Har bourne, and used threats which 

 I know, too well, he will execute. He it was, himself, who 

 told me to inform you, that if you did not consent, your 

 father's life would be the sacrifice!" 



" Oh, heaven!" cried Edith, covering her eyes with her 

 hands, "at least, give me time to think. Surely, his word 

 cannot have such power: a base, notorious criminal himself; 

 one who every day violates the law, who scoffs at his own 

 oaths, and holds truth and honour but as names, surely his 

 word will be nothing against Sir Robert Croyland's?" 



" His word is nothing, would be nothing, " replied her father, 

 earnestly; "but that deposition, Edith! It is that which is my 

 destruction. Remember, that the words of a dying man, with 

 eternity and judgment close before his eyes, are held by the law 

 more powerful than any other kind of evidence; and, besides, 

 there are those still living, who heard the rash threat I used. 

 Suspicion once pointed at me, a thousand corroborative cir- 

 cumstances would come forth to prove that the tale I told of 

 parting with the dead man, some time before, was false, and 

 that very fact would condemn me. Cast away all such hopes, 

 Edith; cast away all such expectations. They are vain! 

 vainl Look the truth full in the face, my child. This man 

 has your father's life entirely and totally in his power, and ask 

 yourself, if you will doom, me to death." 



"Oh! give me time; give me time!" cried Edith, wringing 

 her hands. "Let me but think over it till to-morrow, or next 

 day." 



"Not an hour ago," replied Sir Robert Croyland, "he 

 swore, by everything he holds sacred, that if before twelve to- 

 night, he did not receive your consent " 



"Stay, stay!'' cried Edith, eagerly, placing her hand upon 

 her brow. "Let me think; let me think. It is but money 



