29 8 THE SMUGGLE!*. 



let him do with you what he will : take you to the altar, if he 

 so pleases ; but there must be the final struggle, Edith. There 

 you must boldly and aloud refuse to wed a man you cannot 

 love. There let the memory of your vows to me be ever pre- 

 sent with you. It may seem cruel; but I exact it for your 

 own sake. In the mean time, take means to let me know 

 everything that happens, be it small or great; cast off all 

 reserve towards Digby; tell him all, everything that takes 

 place; tell your sister, too, or any one who can bear me the 

 tidings. I shall be nearer than you think." 



" OhI heaven, how will this end," cried Edith, putting her 

 hand in his; " God help me, Harry, God help me!" 



" He will, dear girl," answered Layton; "I feel sure he 

 will. But remember what I have said. Fail not to tell Digby, 

 or Zara, or any one who can bear the tidings to me, every- 

 thing that occurs, every. word that is spoken, every step that 

 is taken. Think nothing too trifling. But there is your uncle's 

 voice in the passage. Can you not inform him of that which 

 you think yourself bound not to tell me? I mean the parti- 

 culars of your father's situation." 



"No; oh, no!" replied Edith; "I dare tell no one, espe- 

 cially not my uncle. Though kind, and generous, and bene- 

 volent, yet he is hasty, and he might ruin all. Dared I tell 

 any one on earth, Henry, it would be you ; and if I loved you 

 before, oh! how I must love you now, when instead of the 

 anger, or even heat, which I expected you to display, you have 

 shown yourself ready to sacrifice all for one who is hardly 

 worthy of you." 



Layton pressed her to his bosom, and replied, " Real love 

 is unselfish, Edith. I tell you, dearest, that I die if I lose 

 you; yet, Edith Croyland shall never do what is wrong for 

 Henry Lay ton's sake. If in the past we did commit an error, 

 if I should not have engaged you by vows without your 

 parent's consent, though God knows that error has been bit- 

 terly visited on my head ! I am still ready to make atone- 

 ment to the best of my power; but I will not consent that 

 you should be causelessly made miserable, or sacrifice yourself 

 and me, without benefit to any one. Trust to me, Edith; 

 trust to me." 



"I will, I willP answered Edith Croyland; "who can I 

 trust to else?" 



