THE SMUGGLER. 305 



somewhat bold in dealing- thus with one whom I have only 

 known a few days.'' 



" There are circumstances which sometimes make a few days 

 equal to many years," replied Sir Edward Digby. "It is so, 

 my dear young lady, with you and I. Therefore, without fear 

 or hesitation, tell me what it is that agitates you, and how I 

 can serve you. I am not fond of making professions ; but if 

 it be in human power, it shall be done." 



"I know not whether it can be done or not,'' said Zara; 

 " but if not, there is nothing but ruin and desolation for t\vo 

 people whom we both love. You saw my father set out this 

 morning. Did you remark the course he took? It was over 

 to my uncle's, for I watched him from the window. He 

 passed back again some time ago, but then struck off towards 

 Mr. Rad ford's. All that made me uneasy; but just now, I 

 saw Edith's maid coming up towards the house, and eager 

 for tidings, I hurried away. Good Heavens, what tidings she 

 has borne me!'' 



"They must be evil ones, I see," answered Digby; "but I 

 trust not such as to preclude all chance of remedying what 

 may have gone wrong. When two or three people act toge- 

 gether zealously, dear lady, there are very few things they 

 cannot accomplish." 



"Yes, but how to explain!" exclaimed Zara; "yet I must 

 be short; for otherwise my aunt will be in upon us. Now,' 

 Sir Edward Digby," she continued, after thinking for a mo- 

 ment, " I know you are a man of honour; I am sure you are; 

 and I ask you to pledge me that honour, that you will never 

 reveal to any one what I am going to tell you; for I know 

 not whether I am about to do right or wrong ; whether, in 

 trying to save one, I may not be bringing down ruin upon 

 others. Do you give me your honour?" 



"Most assuredly I" answered her companion. "I will 

 never repeat a word that you say, unless with your permis- 

 sion, on my honour!" 



" Well, then," replied Zara, in a faint voice, " Mr. Radford 

 has my father's life in his power. How, I know not: how I 

 cannot tell. But so it is ; and such are the tidings that Caro- 

 line has just brought us. Mr. Radford's conference with him 

 this morning was not for nothing. Immediately after, he 

 went over to Edith; he told her some tale which the girl did not 



