THE SMUGGLER. 443 



to her offer, " no: you can understand what I feel; but I shall 

 be better presently. Stay here, and let all this be settled; 

 and remember, Edith, name the earliest day possible ; arrange 

 with Zara and Digby. Theirs can take place at the same 

 time." 



Thus saying, he went out, and was seen walking slowly to 

 and fro upon the terrace for some minutes after. In the 

 meanwhile the war had commenced between Mr. Zachary 

 Croyland and his younger niece. "Ah! Mrs. Madcap!'' he 

 exclaimed, "so I hear tales of you. The coquette has been 

 caught at length! You are going to commit matrimony; and 

 as birds of a feather flock together, the wild girl and the wild 

 boy must pair." 



With her usual light, graceful step, and with her usual gay 

 and brilliant smile, Zara left Sir Edward Dighy's side, and 

 crossing over to her uncle, rested both her hands upon his 

 arm, while he stood as erect and stiff as a finger post, gazing 

 down upon her with a look of sour fun. But in Zara's eyes, 

 beautiful and beaming as they were, there was a look of deeper 

 feeling than they usually displayed when jesting, as was her 

 wont, with Mr. Croyland. 



"Well, chit," he said, "well, what do you want? A new 

 gown, or a smart hat, or a riding- whip, with a tiger's head 

 in gold at the top?" 



u Xo, my dear uncle," she answered, "but I want you not 

 to tease me, nor to laugh at me, nor to abuse me just now. 

 For once in my life, I feel that I must be serious; and I think 

 even less teasing than ordinary might be too much for me. 

 Perhaps, one time or another, you may find out that poor Zara's 

 coquetry was more apparent than real, and that though she 

 had an object, it was a better one than you, in your benevo- 

 lence, were disposed to think." 



An unwonted drop swam in her eyes as she spoke ; and 

 Mr. Croyland gazed down upon her tenderly for a moment. 

 Then throwing his arms round her, he kissed her cheek. Ci l 

 know it, my dear," he said; "I know it. Edith has told me 

 all ; and she who has been a kind, good sister, will, I am sure, 

 be a kind, good wife. Here, take her away, Digby. A better 

 girl doesn't live, whatever I may have said. The worst of it 

 is, she is a great deal too good for you, or any other wild, 

 harem-scarein fellow. But stay, stay," he continued, as 



