THE SMUGGLER. 423 



Mr. Croyland smiled, saying, " Well, well, so be it ;" and 

 the other two left the room. They found Edith, after some 

 search, seated in the dining-hall. She looked pale and anxious ; 

 but the expression of Layton's face relieved her from her worst 

 apprehensions, not that it was joyful, for there was a touch 

 of sadness in it; but she knew that his aspect could not be 

 such if her father's life were in any real danger. 



Layton advanced towards her at once, even before her 

 father, took her hand in his, and kissed it tenderly. " I told 

 you, dearest Edith," he said, "that I would bring you aid; 

 and I have, thank God, been able to redeem that promise; 

 but now I have another task to perform. Your father's safety 

 is placed beyond doubt, his innocence made clear, and your 

 happiness, beloved one, is not sacrificed. The chance of en- 

 dangering that happiness was the only cause of my not doing 

 what, perhaps, you desired for his sake, what I do now. Sir 

 Robert Croyland, I did wrong in years long past, in boy- 

 hood and the intemperance of youthful love and hope, by en- 

 gaging your daughter to myself by vows, which she has nobly 

 though painfully kept. As an atonement to you, as a satisfaction 

 to my own sense of right, I now, as far as in me lies, set her 

 free from those engagements, leaving to her own self how she 

 will act, and to you how you will decide. Edith, beloved, 

 you are free, as far as I can make you so; and, Sir Robert, 

 I ask your forgiveness for the wrong act I once committed." 



Edith Croyland turned somewhat pale, and looked at her 

 father earnestly; but Sir Robert did not answer for a moment. 

 Was it that he hesitated? No; but there was an oppressive 

 weight at his heart, when he thought of all that he had done, 

 all that he had inflicted, not only on the man before him, but 

 on others guiltless of ail offence, which seemed almost to stop 

 its beating. But at length, he took Edith's hand and put it 

 in Layton's, saying, in a low, tremulous voice, " She is yours, 

 Henry, she is yours; and, oh! forgive the father for the 

 daughter's sake!" 



