306 THE SMUGGLER. 



distinctly hear; but, it seem?, some paper which Mr. Radford 

 possesses was spoken of, and the sum of the whole matter was, 

 that my poor, sweet sister was told, if she did not consent, 

 within four days, to marry that hateful young man, she would 

 sacrifice her father's life. He left her fainting, and has ridden 

 over to bear her consent to Mr. Radford.'' 



"But, did she consent?" exclaimed Sir Edward Digby, in 

 surprise and consternation. "Did she really yield?" 



44 No ; no !" answered Zara, " she did not. The girl said she 

 heard her words, and they were not in truth a consent. But 

 my father chose to take them as such, and left her even before 

 she recovered." 



I have already shown the effect of the same account upon 

 Sir Henry Layton, with all the questions which it suggested 

 to his mind ; and the impression produced upon his friend, as 

 a man of sense arid a man of the world, were so similar, that 

 it may be needless to give any detailed statement of his first 

 observations or inquiries. Zara soon satisfied him, however, 

 that the tale her father had told, was not a mere device to 

 frighten Edith into a compliance with his wishes; and then 

 came the question, "What was to be done?" 



"It is, in truth, a most painful situation in which your 

 sister is placed," said Digby, after some consideration; "but 

 think you that this man, this Radford, cannot be bought off? 

 Money must be to him, if he be as totally ruined as people 

 say, the first consideration; and I know Layton so well, that 

 I can venture to promise nothing of that kind shall stand in 

 the way, if we can but free your sister from the terrible choice 

 put before her." 



Zara shook her head sadly, saying, " No ; that hope is 

 vain! The girl tells me," she added, with a faint smile, 

 which was quickly succeeded by a blush, " that she heard my 

 father say he had offered me, poor me! to Richard Radford, 

 with the same fortune as Edith, but had been refused." 



" And would you have consented ?" demanded Sir Edward 

 Digby, in a more eager tone than he had yet used. 



" Nay," replied Zara, " that has nought to do with the 

 present question. Suffice it, that this proves that gold is not 

 his only object." 



"Nay, but answer me," persevered her companion; " would 

 you have consented? It may have much to do with the 



