418 THE SMUGGLER. 



is another paper on the table, which may throw some light upon 

 the whole transaction ;" and he took up the written promise, 

 which Mr. Kadford had been urging Edith to sign, and on which 

 liis eyes had been fixed during the last few minutes, and handed 

 it with the rest to her uncle. 



" Stay, stay a moment!" said Mr. Croyland, putting on his 

 spectacles. " I will be responsible for the safe keeping of 

 nothing of which I do not know the contents;" and he pro- 

 ceeded to read aloud the engagement to wed Richard Radford, 

 which Edith had rejected. "Ay, a precious rascally document 

 indeed 1" said the old gentleman, when he had concluded; 

 " written in the hand of the said Richard Radford, Esq. senior, 

 and which, I suppose, Miss Croyland refused to sign under any 

 threats. Be so good as to put your name on that, at the back, 

 Mr. Clerk. I will mark it too, that there be no mistake." 



" And now, sir, since you have read the one, will you be 

 good enough to read the other?" exclaimed Mr. Radford, with 

 a triumphant smile. " Even-handed justice, if you please, 

 Mr. Zachary Croyland; the enclosure first, then the letter, il 

 you will. I see there are a multitude of persons present; 1 

 beg they will all attend." 



" I will read it certainly," replied Mr. Croyland, drawing 

 one of the candles somewhat nearer. " It seems to be some- 

 what indistinct." 



Sir Robert Croyland leaned his head upon his hand, anc 

 covered his eyes ; and several persons pressed forward, to heai 

 what seemed of importance, in the eyes of the prisoner, al 

 least. 



Mr. Croyland ran over the writing, as a preliminary to read- 

 ing it aloud; but as he did so, his countenance fell, and he 

 paused and hesitated. The next moment, however, he ex- 

 claimed, " No, hang it I it shall be read. 'The deposition o1 

 William Clare, now lying at the point of death, and with the 

 full assurance that he has not many minutes to live, made be- 

 fore Richard Radford, Esquire, J.P. ; this 24th day of Septem- 

 ber, in the year of grace 17 ;" and he proceeded to read, 

 with a voice occasionally wavering, indeed, but in general firm 

 and clear, the formal setting forth of the same tale which the 

 reader has heard before, in the statement of Sir Robert Croy- 

 land to his daughter. 



His brother paused, and held the paper in his hand for a 



