444 THE SMUGGLER. 



Digby came forward laughing, and took Zara's hand: "here's 

 something with her; for, as I am sure you will be a couple of 

 spendthrifts, it is but fit you should have something to set out 

 upon." 



Mr. Cropland, as he spoke, put his hand into the somewhat 

 wide and yawning pocket of his broad-tailed coat, and pro- 

 duced his pocket-book, from which he drew forth a small slip 

 of paper. 



Digby took it, and looked at it, but instantly held it out 

 again to Mr. Croyland, saying, "My dear sir, it is quite un- 

 necessary. I claim nothing but her hand ; and that is mine 

 by promises which I hope will not be very long ere they are 

 fulfilled." 



"Nonsense, nonsense!" cried Mr. Croyland, putting away 

 the paper with the back of his hand; "did ever any one see 

 such a fool? I tell you, Sir Edward Digby, I'm as proud a 

 man as you are; and you shall not marry my niece without 

 receiving the same portion as her sister possesses. I hate all 

 eldest sons, as you well know; and I don't see why eldest 

 daughters should exist either. I'll have them all equal. No 

 differences here. I've made up to Zara the disparity which 

 one fool of an uncle thought fit to put between her and Edith. 

 Such was always my intention ; and moreover, let it be clearly 

 understood, that when you have put this old carrion under 

 ground, what I leave is to be divided between them; all 

 equal, all equal; co -heiresses of Zachary Croyland, Esq. sur- 

 named the Nabob, alias the Misanthorpe; and then, if you 

 like it, you may each bear in your arms a crow rampant, on 

 an escutcheon of pretence." 



" Thank you, thank you, my dear uncle," answered Edith 

 Croyland, while Zara's gay heart was too full to let her speak; 

 " thank you for such thought of my sweet sister; for, indeed, 

 to me, during long years of sorrow and trouble, she has been 

 the spirit of consolation, comfort, strength, even hope." 



Poor Zara was overpowered, and. she burst into tears. It 

 seemed as if all the feelings, which for the sake of others she 

 had so long suppressed: all the emotions, anxieties, and cares 

 which she had conquered or treated lightly, in order to give 

 aid and support to Edith, rushed upon her at once in the mo- 

 ment of joy, and overwhelmed her. 



"Why, what's the foolish girl crying about?" exclaimed 



