THE SMUGGLER. 399 



manner was not agreeable to him, but it was scarcely, perhaps, 

 to be expected that it should be; for there had been nothing 

 in his own to invite that kindly candour which opens heart to 

 heart. All that had of late years passed between him and Sir 

 Henry Lay ton, had been of a repulsive kind. For one youth- 

 ful error, he had not only repelled and shut his house against 

 the son, but he had persecuted, ruined, and destroyed the 

 father, who had no part in that fault. Every reason, too, 

 which he had given, every motive he had assigned, for his 

 anger at Henry Layton's pretensions to Edith's hand, he had 

 set at nought, or forgotten, in the case of him whom he had 

 chosen for her husband. Even now, althoug-h his manner was 

 wavering and timid, it was cold and harsh ; and it was a hard 

 thing for Henry Layton to assume the tone of kindness towards 

 Sir Robert Groyland, or to soften his demeanour towards him, 

 with all the busy memories of the past and the feelings of the 

 present thronging upon him, on his first return to the house 

 where he had spent many happy days in youth. I am paint- 

 ing a man, and nothing more ; and he could not, and did not, 

 overcome the sensations of human nature. 



His words did not please Sir Eobert Croyland, but they 

 somewhat alarmed him. Everything that was vague in his 

 present situation, did produce fear; but after a moment's 

 thought, he replied, coldly, " Oh dear no, sir! I do not see 

 that it is at all necessary I should go myself. I really think 

 the application altogether extraordinary, seeing that it comes 

 from, I am led to imagine, the lieutenant-colonel, commanding 

 the regiment of dragoons, quartered in this district, who 

 has no primary power, or authority, or even duty in such 

 affairs; but can only act as required by the officers of customs, 

 to whom he is so far subordinate. But still I am ready to re- 

 ceive the informations tendered, and then shall decide in regard 

 to my own conduct, as the case may require." 



" You are wrong in all respects, but one, Sir Robert Croy- 

 land," answered Layton, at once; "I am empowered to act 

 very differently from any officer who has been in command 

 here before me. If my powers are beyond that which the law 

 authorizes, those who gave them are responsible to their coun- 

 try ; but, for an extraordinary case, extraordinary means are 

 requisite ; and as I require of you nothing but what the law 



uires, I shall not pause to argue, whether I am exactly the 



req 



