THE SMUGGLER. 307 



question yet." He fixed his eyes gravely upon her face, and 

 took the fair, small hand, that lay upon the arm of the chair, 

 in his. It was something very like making love, and Zara 

 felt a strange sensation at her heart; but she turned away 

 her face, and answered, with a very pale cheek, " I would 

 die for my father, Sir Edward; but I could not wed Richard 

 Radford." 



Sir Edward raised her hand to his lips, and pressed them 

 on it. " I thought so," he said; " I thought sol And now, 

 heart, and mind, and hand, and spirit, to save your sister, 

 Zara! I have hunted many a fox in my day, and I don't 

 think the old one of Radford Hall will escape me. The 

 greatest difficulty is, not to compromise your father in any 

 way ; but that shall be cared for, too, to the very best of my 

 power, be assured. Henceforth, dear lady, away with all 

 reserve between us. While I am in this house, it will be 

 absolutely necessary for you to communicate with me freely, 

 and probably very often. Have no hesitation; have no 

 scruple as to hour, or manner, or means. Trust to my 

 honour as you have trusted this day, and you shall never 

 find it fail you. I will enter into such explanations with my 

 servant, Somers, in regard to poor Layton, as will make him 

 think it nothing strange if you send him for me at any time. 

 He is as discreet as a privy councillor, and you must, there- 

 fore, have no hesitation." 



"I will not," answered Zara; "for I would do anything 

 to save my sister from such a fate; and I do believe you will 

 not think -you will not imagine " 



She paused in some confusion; and Sir Edward Digby 

 answered, with a smile, but a kindly and a gentlemanly one, 

 " Let my imagination do as it will, Zara. Depend upon it, 

 it shall do you no wrong ; and believe me when I say, that I 

 can hardly feel so much pain at these circumstances as I 

 otherwise might, since they bring me into such near and 

 frequent communication with you." 



"Hush, hushl" she answered, somewhat gravely; "I can 

 think of nothing now but my poor sister; and you must not, 

 Sir Edward, by one compliment, or fine speech, nay, nor by 

 one kind speech either," she added, laying her hand upon his 

 arm, and looking up in^his face, with a glowing cheek; "for 

 I know you mean it as kind; you must not, indeed, throw 



