THL SMUGGLER. 381 



all were indifferent to me. It might be natural to me, then; 

 but I do not think I could play the coquette with the man I 

 loved. At all events, I should act the part but badly, and 

 should fancy he was always laughing at me in his heart, and 

 triumphing over poor Zara Croyland, when he knew right well 

 that he had the strings of the puppet in his hand. However, 

 I will do my best, if you wish it ; and I do believe, from know- 

 ing more of this house than you do, that your plan is a good 

 one. The airs I have given myself, and the freedom I have 

 taken, have been of service "both to myself and Edith; to her 

 in many ways, and to myself in keeping from me all serious 

 addresses from men I could not love. Yours is the first pro- 

 posal I have ever had, Digby; so do not let what my uncle 

 has said, make you believe that you have conquered a queen 

 of hearts, who has set all others at defiance.'' 



"No gentleman was ever refused by a lady" answered 

 Digby, laying a strong emphasis on each noun-substantive. 



"So, then, you were quite sure before you said a word!" 

 cried Zara, laughing. " Well, that is as frank a confession 

 as any of my own ! And yet you might have been mistaken ; 

 for esteeming you as I did, and circumstanced as I was, I 

 would have trusted you as much, Digby, if you had been 

 merely a friend." 



" IJut you would not have shown me the deeper feelings 

 of your heart upon other indifferent subjects," replied her 

 lover. 



Zara blushed and looked down; then suddenly changed the 

 course of the conversation, saying, " But you have not told 

 me what Lay ton thought of all this, and what plans you have 

 formed. What is to be done? Was he not deeply grieved 

 and shocked?" 



Sir Edward Digby told her all that had passed, and then 

 added, " I intend now to send out my servant, Somers, to re- 

 connoitre. He shall way-lay Layton on his return, and bring 

 me news of his succsss. If this youth be safely lodged in 

 gaol, his pretensions are at an end, at least for the present; 

 but if he again escape; I think, ere noon to-morrow, I must 

 interfere myself. I have now a better right to do so than I 

 have hitherto had ; and what I have heard from other quarters 

 will enable me to speak boldly, even to your father, dear one, 

 without committing cither you or Edith." 



