402 THE SMUGGLER, 



turning to Layton, and raising his head erect, the first time 

 for many years. "It is over: the folly and the weakness and 

 crime are at an end. I have been bowed and broken, but 

 there is a spark of my former nature yet left. I vowed to 

 God in heaven that I would ever protect and be a father to 

 that child, as an atonement, as some some compensation, 

 however small, and I will keep my vow." 



" Oh 1 Sir Kobert," cried Layton, taking his hand and 

 pressing it in his, " be ever thus, and how men will love and 

 venerate you!" 



The barrier was broken down, the chain which had so long 

 bound him was cast away ; and Sir Robert returned Lay ton's 

 grasp with equal warmth. " Harry," he said, " I have done 

 you wrong; but I will do so no more. I was driven, I was 

 goaded along the road to all evil, like a beast driven to the 

 slaughter. But you have done wrong, too, young man ; yours 

 was the first offence." 



" It was," answered Layton; " I own it, I did do wrong; 

 and I will make no excuse, though youth, and love as true as 

 ever man felt, might afford some. But let me assure you, 

 that I have been willing to make reparation; I have been will- 

 ing to sacrifice all the brightest hope of years to save you, 

 even now. I assured Edith that I would, when she told me 

 the little she could venture to tell; but it was her misery that 

 withheld me, it was the life-long wretchedness to which she 

 was doomed if I yielded, that made me resist. Nothing else 

 on earth should have stopped me; but now, Sir Robert, the 

 prospect is more clear for you." 



" Nay, do not speak of that," replied Sir Robert Croyland ; 

 " I will think of it no more, I have now chosen my path; and 

 I will pursue it, without looking at the consequences to myself. 

 Let them come when they must come; for once in life, I will 

 do what is just and right." 



"And by so doing, my dear sir, you will save yourself," 

 answered Layton. " Moved by revenge, with no doubt what- 

 soever of his motive, after a concealment of six years, this 

 base man's accusation will be utterly valueless. Your bare I 

 statement of the real circumstances will be enough to dissipate 

 every cloud. I shall require that all his papers be seized; and : 

 I have many just reasons for wishing that they should be in j 

 your hands," 



