THE SMUGGLER. 379 



the long accumulation of sin and deceit which has gathered 

 over human society; that no man can trust another fully; that 

 we dare not confide our inmost thoughts to any; that there 

 should be a fear, the necessity for a fear, of showing the un- 

 guarded heart to the near and dear; that every man should, 

 according to the most accursed axiom of a corrupt world, live 

 with his friend as if he were one day to be his enemy ! Oh ! 

 truth, and honour, and sincerity! Oh! true Christianity! 

 whither are ye gone? Timidity soon banished such thoughts 

 from the breast of Sir Robert Croyland, though there was 

 something in the whole demeanour of his daughter's lover 

 which showed him that, if ever man was to be trusted, he 

 might trust there; and had he known how deeply Digby was 

 already acquainted with much that concerned him, he might, 

 perhaps, have gone one step farther, and told him all. As it 

 Avas, he rode on, and soon gave himself up to bitter thoughts 

 again. 



In the mean time, Sir Edward Digby returned to Zara and 

 Mrs. Barbara in the drawing-room, with so well satisfied a 

 look, that it was evident to both, his conversation with Sir 

 Robert had not referred to any unpleasant subject, and had 

 not had any unpleasant result. He excited the elder lady's 

 surprise, however, and produced some slight agitation in the 

 younger, by taking Zara by the hand, and in good set terms of 

 almost formal courtesy, requesting a few minutes' private 

 audience. Her varying colour, and her hesitating look, showed 

 her lover that she apprehended something more unpleasant than 

 he had to say; and he whispered, as they went along towards 

 the library, u It is nothing; it is nothing but to tell you what 

 I have done, and to arrange our plan of campaign." 



Zara looked up in his face with a glad smile, as if his words 

 took some terror from her heart; and as soon as he was in 

 the room, he let go her hand, and turned the key in such a 

 manner in the door, that the key-hole could not serve the pur- 

 pose of a prospective glass, even if it might that of an ear- 

 trumpet. 



" Forgive me, dear Zara," he said, "if I take care to secure 

 our defences; otherwise, as your good aunt is perfectly certain 

 that I am about to fall on my knees, and make my declaration, 

 she might be seized with a desire to witness the scene, not at 

 all aware that it has been performed already. 13 ut not to say 



