348 THE SMUGGLER* 



me, dear Zara, that she was sure her father would send for 

 her in the course of this day. If such be the case, keep with 

 her always as far as possible ; bid her still remember Harry 

 Layton; bid her resist to the end; and assure her that he will 

 come to her deliverance ultimately. Were it myself alone, I 

 would sacrifice anything, and set her free; but when I know 

 that, by so doing, I should make her wretched for ever, that 

 her own heart would be broken, and nothing but an early 

 death would relieve her, I cannot do it, Zara ; no one can ex- 

 pect it.'' 



"Perhaps not, perhaps not, Layton;" answered Zara, with 

 the tears in her eyes; "but yet, my father! However, I can- 

 not advise, I cannot even ask anything. All is so dark and 

 perplexed, I am lost!" 



"I am labouring now, dear Zara," replied the young officer, 

 "to find or devise means of rendering his safety sure. Already 

 I have the power to crush the bad man in whose grasp he is, 

 and render his testimony, whatever it may be, nearly valueless. 

 At all events, the only course before us, is that which I have 

 pointed out; and while Digby is with you, you can never want 

 the best and surest counsel and assistance. You may confide 

 in him fully, Zara. I have now known him many years; and 

 a more honourable and upright man, or one of greater talent, 

 does not live." 



There was something very gratifying to Zara in what he 

 said of his friend ; and had she been in a mood to scrutinize 

 her own feelings accurately, the pleasure that she experienced 

 in hearing such words spoken of Sir Edward Digby, the agi- 

 tated sort of pleasure, might have given her an insight into 

 her own heart. As it was, it only sent a passing blush into 

 her cheek, and she replied, "I am sure he is all you say, 

 Harry; and indeed, it is to his connivance that I owe my 

 being able to come hither to-day. These smugglers took away 

 all my father's horses; and I suppose, from what I hear, that 

 some of them have been captured by your men." 



"If such is the case they shall be sent back,'' replied Layton ; 

 " for I am well aware that the horses being found with the 

 smugglers is no proof that they were there with the owner's 

 consent. To-morrow, I trust to be able to give you a further 

 insight into my plans, for I am promised some information of 

 importance to-night; and, perhaps, even before you reach 



