292 THE SMUGGLER. 



" I did write, my Edith. I received no letters," said Layton, 

 sadly; "we have both been wronged, my dear girl* My let* 

 ters were returned in a cover directed in your own hand: but 

 that trick I understand: that I see through. Oh! do not let 

 any one deceive you again, beloved girl I You have been my 

 chief, I might say my only thought; for the memory of you 

 has mingled with every other idea, and made the whole your 

 own. In the camp and in the field, I have endured and fought 

 for Edith: in the council and in the court, I have struggled 

 and striven for her; she has been the end and object of every 

 effort, the ruling power of my whole mind. And now, Edith; 

 now your soldier has returned to you. He has won every step 

 towards the crowning reward of his endeavours; he has risen 

 to competence, to command, to some honour in the service of 

 his country; and he can proudly say to her he loves: Cast 

 from you the fortune for which men dared to think I sought 

 you ; come to your lover, come to your husband, as dowerless 

 as he was when they parted us ; and let all the world see and 

 know, that it was your love, not your wealth, I coveted: this 

 dear hand, that dear heart, not base gold, that I desired. Oh ! 

 Edith, in heaven's name, cast me not now headlong down; 

 from the height of hope and joy to which you have raised me, 

 for fear a heart and spirit, too long depressed, should never find 

 strength to rise again." 



Edith staggered back and sank down upon the sofa, cover- 

 ing her eyes, and only murmuring, "' I do love you, Harry, 

 beyond life itself. Oh! that I were dead! Oh! that I were 

 dead!" 



There was a terrible struggle in Henry Layton's bosom. He 

 could not understand the agitation that he witnessed. Had itj 

 borne anything like the character of joy, even of surprise, alb 

 would have been clear ; but it was evidently very different. Ify 

 was joy overborne by sorrow. It was evidently a struggle oi 

 love with some influence, perhaps not stronger, yet terrible in 

 its effect. He was a man of quick decision and strong reso-; 

 lution: qualities not always combined; and he overcame him- 

 self in a moment. He saw that he was loved, still deeply,, 

 truly loved; and that was a great point. He saw that Edith 

 was grieved to the soul; he saw that he himself could not feel 

 more intensely the anguish she inflicted than she did; that she- 

 was wringing her own heart while she was wringing his, and 



