THE NOVELIST THE MORTIMERS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 7440, 10 August 1895, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE NOVELIST THE MORTIMERS.

[BY SABA DUNK]

CHAPTER V.

'Is Mr Prescott at home?' asked Mr Noel Mortimer of the clerk who sat most prominently near the door in the first office of Messrs Prescott, Bain, and Co.

' I believe so. I will see. I really cannot be certain,' said the young man, doubtfully, rising from his stool. ' I never am quite sure, you see,' he added, perceiving,, possibly, an incredulous smile on the applicant's lips ; ' because there ia another door to Mr Prescott's room, which he sometimes uses without our knowing.'

' Oh, yes—very convenient, no doubt!' said Mr Mortimer, significantly. ' However, as my business is urgent and brief, perhaps the ' other door' may not be in requisition.'

And he coolly took up the Time, and seated himself, while the clerk vanished into the next apartment.

'Mr Prescott will see you in a few minutes, sir,' he said, on his return. ' But he has an appointment, and will be much obliged to you to make you business as brief as may be consistent with your plans.'

And he opened the door in the next apartment, and ushered the new-comet into its comfortable and well-furnished precincts

' You scarcely recognise me, perhaps, Mr Prescott. It is some years since we met, and probably I am more changed by knocking about than you are, in your quiet homo life. You will, perhaps, not recall the features of Noel Mortimer, of the Place ?'

Mr Prescott looked doubtfully at the worn and haggard man before him.

' Well, I confess I might have been baffled, had I met you elsewhere, Mr Mortimer,' he replied ; ' but I can perceive, now, the traces of the old—or, rather, the young—face of other days. How is your father, Mr Mortimer ? I have not seen him for some weeks—or, I might say, months,' he concluded, with a courteous placing of chairs, and other little attentions that bespoke consideration for a good client in prospective.

' In his usual state of health, I believe, Mr Prescott. At hia age, it is not to be supposed he can be in very great strength of mind or body. In fact, I believe that some of his faculties, at any rate, are giving way, and will need to be guarded, in order to prevent a scandal and gossip about our affairs that would drive him frantic to even imagine.'

• -Mr Prescott bowed doubtingly. "You allude, I presume, to some idea of a fresh will, Mr Noel ?' he replied. 'I believe I can satisfy your mind thus far. No such deed has been drawn by me for more than three years, or so ; though I may confess that codicils have been added to the former document; but no fresh will is in existence, so far as we are aware.' Noel looked less satisfiecL„tha-n' 'perhaps the lawyer expected. ' There cannot be such very absolute a will,' he returned. •' So fiir as I am aware, my father has only personal property to dispose of. Of course, the estate goes, .by necessity, with the entail,' he added, sharply. Mr Prescott fidgeted uneasily. ' Mr Noel Mortimer,' he began, ' you really are placing me in a veiy embarrassing position, if you are jesting, or "sounding me on this matter. If you are serious, it will be for me to judge as to my conduct in the affair.' ' You are wrong —quite wrong, Mr Prescott. The subject is by no means one for jest—at least, to myself; and if you do not choose to give me any satisfaction, I shall certainly take other measures that would scarcely redound to your honor and good name,' returned Noel, angrily. ' I repeat, once more, that I believe myself secure of the Mortimer estate, as heir entail; and if that be not so, I demand to be informed by what pretext it can be evaded.'

' You wrong me, utterly,' said the lawyer, earnestly. ' You forget, Mr Mortimer, that I have only succeeded to this practice twenty-five or so years, and therefore was not fully acquainted with the previous affairs of the clients who were good enough to trust me with their affairs. Now, so far as I ever remember, or am aware, no deed of entail has been in this office since I took to the business of Messrs Lee ; and yet you appear to be convinced that one existed.'

' Most certainly one did exist, and was never at any time cancelled by me ; as would, of course, be needful were it set aside,' replied Noel, bitterly.

Mr Prescott shrugged his shoulders expressively. ' Then I can only repeat my assertion, sir, and hope that my ideas are unfounded ; and yet—and yet'there are featuies in the will I cannot comprehend, if such be the case.'

' You suppose, then, that my father does not consider me entitled to his estates, to judge from the will ho has made V asked Noel, sharply.

'My dear sir, I can fully pardon your impetuosity, where so much is at stake,' observed Mr Prescott, camly ; 4 but you will, I am sure, perceive, in your better judgment, that I am not permitted to reveal any portion of a will drawn up by us under a client's instructions. It is from your father that any such information should come ; and, besides, the question you have raised is one of too great importance for me to meddle in the matter. I 3trongly counsel you to repair at once to the Place, and ascertain the truth from Mr Mortimer himself. More than that I cannot say, for I have no knowledge whatever of the existence of such a document, I again, repeat !'

And Mr Prescott moved his chair back in a manner that certainly botokened his weariness of the interview.

Noel Mortimer thought for some minutes in silence.

' You can suppose it ia a startling

idea to mo, Mr Prescott,' he said, moro gently, ' and will excuse some heat on my part in the matter? I will take your advice, certainly ; and yet it seems to me that it is impossible to suppose that my father did not know of it as well as I ; and were it lost, he surely would have given me some notice of the occurrence ?'

' That may perhaps depend on the terms on which you and your father may have lived, Mr Mortimer,' said the lawyer, significantly.

'At least, you can guide me in one respect —you can say what would be the result were the deed not to be forthcoming. Could I make any affidavit, or in any manner secure my rights under its provisions ?' enquired "Noel, sternly. 'In one sense, that is begging the question, my good sir,' returned Mr Prescott. ' Granting—granting, I say —that it were possible that you are excluded from the succession, you must certainly have to produce most ample proof that the deed ever existed ; and, indeed, owing to your being so completely interested a party, J. strongly doubt that it would be possible for you to prove that the deed did exist, and that it could be lost or set aside without your participation in the matter. I know that would be a subsequent question, and one that I trust you will not have to raise,' he continued, rising determinately, in a manner that could scarcely be resisted by the visitor, even though it might seem a hard verdict that an unlimited time wa3 not to be given to his affairs.

' Well, I cannot say that my interview has been very satisfactory,' said Noel, starting to his feet with move abruptness than might have been expected from his years. ' However, I am willing to suppose that ysu have no alternative in the matter, Mr Prescott. At least, I may rely on your instituting a search, should my father acknowledge the existence of the deed, or in the event of his death V

' Certainly, there can be no harm in that, Mr Mortimer : but you had far better, if it be possible, arrange it before any such catastrophe, for it would inevitably lead to serious complications were any such confusion to arise in the affairs of our client. I have the honor to wish you good morning,' he said, going to the door and holding it open for the reluctant exit of his visitor.

And Noel was fain to pass through the clerk's room and down the stairs, with a cool indifference of manner that was certainly far from being an index of his inward feelings.

Once out of the chambers, and able to indulge his mood, Noel's face and mien entirely changed. His hurried step, his haggard eyes his compressed lips, all told a tale of despairing agitation that was barely kept within the bounds of his own breast.

' Let me see !' he muttered, turning into one of tho quiet courts of Lincoln's Inn, where he could be safe from observation, —'let me see! What it all means I can perfectly well divine. The will has excluded me : that was nearly confessed by that piece of parchment yonder ; and unless this deed is forthcoming I shall be a ruined man, and my children worse than beggars ! Noel Mortimer, you must sacrifice all to avert this ! But how—how can it be done if my father's enmity is so determined and bitter, and his death so near at hand? The deed !—the deed ! That is the question,-andjvhere to turn for help ?' And sitting down in one oTthe seals that here and there give a friendly repose to the pedestrians in those legal precincts, the unfortunate son of the ancient and haughty line of the Mortimers fell into a deep reverie.

A reverie that was not disturbed even by the occasional passing and the wondering observation of strangers— that was more like a dream of the past than a mere speculation for tha present or the future —a misty sense of good and of evil, rather than any connected effort to conquer and to remedy the woe.

He had, perhaps, remained thus for nearly half an hour, when he was roused by a hand that was furtively and gently placed on his arm, and a voice which was unfamiliar to him, and

yet which addressed him as if well acquainted with iiis name and person.

'Mr Noel !—Mr Mortimer !' said :he new-comer, in the same under-tono ; you do not remember mo ?'

The gentleman looked round suddenly, and gazed abstractedly at the intruder who sat by him on the bench where he was reposing.

It was a man of perhaps somewhat fewer years than himself, but of far" more energy arid activity in his air and movements, though his face bore the trace of hard and violent work, and, perhaps, of hard living and no small amount of anxious care and penury.

'No, I certainly do not,' replied Noel, after a brief investigation. ' Yet, perhaps, I have a dim recollection of your features, and j r et mora in your voice, as if they might have been known to me in some distant days.'

' Well, that is about as much as I could expect,' returned the man, with a smile. 'It was not likely that! the heir of Mortimer Place would remember a simple lawyer's clerk, especially when he was but a mere quilldriver machine then ; and, in fact, he is not much more now, to speak truth.'

' But who are you, and where could I have known you ?' asked the gentleman, with hut languid interest in the identity of his not very prepossessing companion.

' Oh, I was dork to Messrs Lee, and stayed on when Prescott took the business,' returned the man : ' and my name is Robert Allen, at your service. It was there that I knew you, Mr Noel, and I saw you several times at the office, and at the Place.'

A sudden idea rushed over the troubled mind of Noel Mortimer at the revelation.

Here ought to bo the very man he most needed —tho person who would bo at once able to give him some clue as to the past, and to assist him in the present and the future.

But thou he must use caution—ay, and more than caution. He must be suspicious and wary as ever ba filed a detective's skill, to fence with a sharpshooting lawyer, as this man might turn out to be !

Yet why had Allen hunted him out and come upon him. if lie had not at once the will and the ability B to do him

some good in the affairs nearest his heart ? And, again, how had he guessed that there was anything that could need his aid ?

Perhaps, after all, he was mistaken ; perhaps it was to ask some help from him, as the presumed wealthy heir of the Mortimers, that he had thus followed him, and his reply was couched accordingly.

' I daresay you are right, Mr Allen ; but still I am a loss to know what has given me the present flattering recognition on your part,' he said, with a dry sarcasm in his tone. ' If it is to request help or patronage at my hands, 1 may as well tell you thai it is simply impossible. I have no more than I need myself, and certainly I am not likely to throw away my slender means on a perfect stranger! Better apply to someone in your own rank or your profession, Mr Robert Allen !'

He tamed away with a supercilious air, that brought a furtive smile to the stranger's lips

'Well, if you consider that is the best plan, I would advise you to follow your own precepts, Mr Noel,' ho resumed, coldly. ' Only it may be that you will not discover your mistake till it is too late.'

And he made a half movement to rise from the seat he had occupied, though perhaps with a degree of gradual slowness that might have indicated, to a less interested observer, the game he was dexterously engaged in playing.

' You are too much in a hurry, and a great deal too mysterious in your language, Mr Allen,' said Noel Mortimer, with a relenting smile. ' When you know me a little better, you will comprehend more my meaning and my character. lam a man of the world, as well as yourself. I have gone through a great many phases of human life, both in the station in which T was born and in the lower ranks in which L have been cast, and in all these varying spheres I have found that everyone was looking out for themselves, and that self-interest is the only bond which unites them. Therefore Mr Allen, you are, I do not doubt, sharp enough to draw the correct inference.'

'You mean that, unless we can mutually serve each other, it is quite useless for any further co;nmunication to take place between us?' returned Robert Allen, curtly.

' Precisely so,' was the reply.

Allen gave a slight laugh

' Well, it is perhaps better that you think this, and that we shall, consequently, stand on equal grounds,' he returned. ' But if 1 assure you, Mr Noel, that I shall ask nothing for which I am not prepared to give an ample return—then, I presume, you will be inclined to treat with me ?'

'Perhaps,' Noel said, deliberately,— ' perhaps ; I will not pledge myself to anything, but I will meet you half-way so soon as I am convinced you mean wisely and honestly. There is such a thing, you know, as being self-deceived : and there is such a thing as deceiving others, Master Allen,' he concluded in a significant tone.

' Yes ; but. in the' present case, it does not suit me to deceive you, and most assuredly I shall not be deceived myself, Mr Noel,' the man went on, quickly. 'I know, far better than you do, what you really require. I know perfectly well what is your present strait, and therefore I feel perfectly, qualified to give you help—ay, and ad- ■. ic., aj.sp : —In .the matter.' —■ •

Noel involuntarily started at the assertion, though the gesture was carefully restrained from outward observation .

What could this stranger, this' almost menial, know, where he and his necessities or desires were in question?

And again came the doubt whether it would be wise and safe to trust him in such vital matters, where honor and fame, and perhaps life itself, might be risked ere any shadow of danger were visible to his misguided ideas.

'If you know more than I do, and if you thus volunteer to assist me without any request of mine,' he replied, ' it is certainly rather fur you to take the initiative, and to give me some hint, at any rate, of your purpose and your capabilities. Begin, Mr Allen,' he went on, half jestingly, half earnestly,—' begin, I desire, most courteously and respectfully !' The man gave another half mocking smile. ' Ah, yes, I understand. We are very much like the combatants in the old distich— •'Lo__ Chatham, with hisswud drawn, Stood waiting for Sir Richard Str'ioh—i ; Sir -ichurd, lunging to be at 'em. ytood wtiiti7)jLr for the Karl of Chatham,' However, Psuppose there is this difference between us—that you have more to lose than I have, and, therefore, may be excused if you are a little cowardly. So to begin, and put you out of all pain upon the subject, I will tell you what I know and can state. I know that you, the heir—or, at any rate, the reputed heir—of Mortimer Place, are in the greatest danger of losing it— and that it will be ruin, and worse than ruin, to you if such a calamity happened. Men with thoughtless, extravagant, headstrong sons, and pretty portionless daughters, are usually sure to rue the day when they lose all chance of meeting their liabilities.' Noel Mortimer's face had been cautiously averted, but Allen could perceive that the very tips of his ears and the roots of his hair were crimsoned with either surprise or mortification, or some other deeper feeling. And his course was taken, and his doubts, if any had existed, completely removed by this mute evidence of the truth of his suspicions.

' Well, if it were possible that I could be disinherited, I believe that you would be about in the right, Master Allen,' said Mr Mortimer, in the same half scornful tone. ' But a deed of entail makes matters all certain, you know; and in the case of this succession, luckily one has already existed.'

' True ; it was supposed to exist, but there are such mistakes as mislaying or destroying documents,' returned tho clerk, with a nod of his head and lowering his voice to a whisper. 'Are you serious—do you really mean lhat you suspect such foul play ? —have you heard—have you any reason to believe it ?' poured forth in

broken but hurried sentences from Noel Mortimer's lips. ' Tbat is the very secret which remains to be discovered, and paid for, if it deserves it!' returned the man, calmly. 'Listen, Mr Noel. You tell me—and I iiave no reason to doubt it —that the estate of your forefathers goes by entail, and that no dissensions, such as exist between your father and yourself, can affect the succession. But the old man hates you. He is stern au unscupulous, aud you may rely on it he would not hesitate where his revenge, or, as he would call it, retribution, was in the way. And, if I mistake, not, he has implied so much to you, when you have had any intercourse with him. Am I not.correct ?' he added, as he saw his companion recoil from the unexpected words.. 'If you aro, it. must certainly imply that you are au eavesdropper,' replied Noel, sternly. ' I neither admit nor deny what you say, but I certainly have never heard, in the presence of others, nor repeated to others, that which you have just now asserted.' ' No, nor have I heard it—nor have others informed me." returned Allen ; ' but T am, nevertheless, certain that it is so : and, besides, you can easily settle the matter, and end all further conference, by denying it. .1 believe that so much, at least, of the family heritage descends to you. I believe that you have too much honor, or, at the least, too much sense, to refuse all help, if it is needed by you. If I am wrong, and your inheritance certain, nothing can be easier than E>r you to get rid of every embarrassment and raise money on ihe sure prospect which must soon be realized. Mr Mortimer cannot live long, and post obits, at his ago, cannot cost but a moderate sum to his heir.' It was certainly somewhat of a ' poser,' to use a familiar expression, that was thus presented to the perplexed heir of the Mortimers. ' Either ho must mako dangerous admissions, or eiso ho all hope of aid from the only perso--.P-.-3 whom, so far as he was aware, there was the least chance of receiving it. And a shrewd twinkle in Allen's eyes brought the true conviction to his mind that there was more really known by him than was yet ascertained by himself as to this delicate matter.

' I suppose the real truth of all this, Mr Allen, is, that you being in the office of my father's solicitors, are acquainted with the resting place and the terms of this deed of entail," he said ; ' and that unless I am prepared and willing to comply with your views, you are prepared to do precisely the very act that you change on my father. Is that the case ?' he continued, keenly regarding his companion.

'No,' was the curt reply ; 'assuredly not. I tell you, Mr Noel, that I have no such intention ; and, what is more, I have not the power. Ido not know where the deed is, but I have a very shrewd suspicion where it is not.'

' I do not understand, and I do not wished to be talked to iv riddles !' answered Noel, impatiently. ' To the point, Mr Allen ! Is all the information you have to give comprised in that one sentence —that you can tell me the document is not in the chest of your old employer, and that you do not, therefore, know whether my father has deposited it at his banker's or in his own secure receptacles at Mortimer Place ? If that is all, I am content to wait till the matter is proved by time. I have no right at the present instant to question the matter, nor demand from my father or his lawyers the producetion of the deed, nor an assurance where it is placed.'

-"'"j?_ob!_--y.-iiot, 3lvJ£p.e. _.lm.„ iJ y.u will give me your- word of honor not to betray me, and that you will reward me, at least, for my giving you a very useful caution, I am content to accept tho i-siirancc,' returned the clerk, gravely. ' In additioi: to which I shall condition tint if you an; inclined to accept the further services I can render you, that 1 shall be rewarded accordingly ; and that no base, mean stinginess shall degrade your gratitude to a man who will servo you, and prove firm in this, and■ place; thou.amis in your omniaiui. D) you ngr.e to this, Mr Noel ?'

The gentleman lay f >r a time buried l i leep and profound thought.

it was, he knew, a great risk that he was incurring.

He know that the moment he acceded to the loan's terms was the last of his freedom. He kuew that he was confessing virtually the truth of Allen's assertion, that he had no real certainty of his succession ; and that lie ivas ready to stain the name that he had inherited for his ancestors with the disgrace that such a confession must bring on his head.

Were he fearless and innocent, what would prevent his awaiting the result, and contesting openly, and in the face of day, the injustice that was done to him by a stern and vengeful father ?

But, alas for Noel Mortimer ! he had fetters on his actions, and cowardice in his secret heart, that prevented such a frank and bold proceeding.

He required present help, aud a surety of future prosperity ; and both, perhaps, would he secured by yielding to the man's demands.

' Thero can be no harm, perhaps, in my agreeing, so far, to your terms,' he said. ' I certainiy am bound to repay, in any manner that is in my power, the very wish to do me a service, even if you should be mistaken in your impressions. If you will confide thus far in my honor, you may be perfectly convinced that I shall never betray your trust,' he continued, more friendly. ' Is that enough ?'

' Yes : if you will engage to reward me to the best of your ability,' returned the man. ' I am tho first, you pee, to take the risk, and I ought to be the first to rec.ive the reward ; but of course that will depend, in a measure, on the duration of Mr Mortimer's life; you will scarcely come into the full enjoyment of all I shall procure for you till that event happens.' Noel could scarcely suppress a shudder at the fact that was really in his mind, but which certainly wore so different an aspect when placed in plain words before hi,, words and ears. 1 Well, ; presume you are stating a very simple truth, Mr Allen. And now, please, go on.' < Well then. Mr Noel, what I have

to say is this : the-deed in question was not in the box that contained your father's papers when they passed from my old master's keeping into Prescott's. I took a catalogue of them by order of the executors of the late Mr Lee, as well as of all ether papers that were transferred from the defunct firm to their successors. I was bound, of course, to take no moro heed of them than a mere copying-machine, and certainly not to ever repeat what I had found and seen. But where I see what I believe to be injustice impending, I cannot keep my tongue silent.' And the man cleared his throat, and raised his head, with an almost ludicrous air of honor and good faith in his significant look and tone.

' Then what is your impression as to its fate, Mr Allen ?' "asked Noel, hoarsely.

' I believe that your father claimed it back, either before the old man's death, or before the arrangements were made and the catalogue taken,' replied Allen, firmly. ' And, what is more, Mr Noel, I believe that the old man will have taken good care that it is in his power to do what he pleases with all his wealth. It is not like him to let such an opportunity pass. In fact, from all [ have heard, I shall scarcely think that it is the way of your race, Mr Noel, to forgive very easily, nor to miss a chance of revenge where there is supposed to be an injury !'

Noel winced under the unwelcome truth that was thus spoken unflinchingly to him. He knew but too well that no such amiable feeling as paternal love ever softened his father's breast, or inclined him to yearn for reconciliation in his last days.

And, he. in his turn, had scorned submission, and exiled himself from tho ancestral home and from his native land, rather than yield one iota of his own wilful course or his proud contempt of his father's wrath.

' Then the whole sum of your service to me consists in this pleasant assurance, Allen ?'Jie said bitterly. 'You "-3_;irs"mo that you 'are~cbhTh_ee_-t-e----deed litis been purposely separated from the other documents and papers belonging to my family in Messrs. Prescott's possession, and that it is extremely likely that the said deed has been ere this destroyed ; so that I am entirely helpless as to any means of proving its existence, or resisting my father's will, should it be, as I believe, an unjust and adverse one ? Is it for this I am to reward you ?' he added, sarcastically—' for giving me this news before its time ?'

' No, Mr Noel, but in time,' replied the man, significantly ;' and for helping you to remedy the injustice of fortune. I"he deed is in all probability mislaid, not destroyed —placed so mysteriously that it is not likely ever to be found, unless by someone remarkably cute and acquainted with the family archives and receptacles. You understand, Mr Noel,' he said, in a low tone ; ' I pledge myself that the deed shall be found !'

And the word sounded like a hissing, tempting fiend in Noel Mortimer's ears.

CHAPTER VI.

It was scarcely the ' gloaming' as the Scotch folk call it, Mortimer took her way from her .temporary home, to the ancestral residence that should have been her certain and present birthright, to roam in tind reside in during her girlhood and -youth.

She had, in truth, been too anxious and impatient for even a prudent delay, though it had been with..--no little difficulty - she.- J»._d_ to "-feaiiTe the loving attention and perhaps anxiety of her sister and Hector.

' Dearest Zoe, will you not come with us V asked Eulalie, during the early tea that waa substituted for the usual late dinner while Mr Mortimer was'absent. ' Hector and I are going to have such a capital game at croquet on the meadow this earning, and we want you to join us. It is so seldom that papa will let you leave him when he is at home. J)o come,' added the little coaxcr, throwing her arms round Zoe's neck with girlish impetuosity.

' I will join you on a future day, Eulalie, I promise you,' replied Zoe, tenderly returning the child's caress.

■' i'apa will not be at home so very soon, I expect, and I promise to give you all the tune I can afford another day.'

'Ah ! but that is just what I complain about, Zoe,' returned the younger sister, shaking her head gravely. ' You always seem to be busy now, or thinking of something disagreeable, for you look so grave and sad when you do not know I am watching you. It was not so when we were at dear old .Bruges. There we were always so happy and light-hearted —it was so cheerful ! I hate this dull, lonely England, don't yon, Zoe ?'

' No, indeed, I do not, Eulalie,' replied her sister, feigning a smile. ' I think it very beautiful, and fresh, and nice ; and the people are so good and kind. Besides, it is our own land, you know, and we are hound to like it on that account alone.'

' I don't think so at all, Zoe,' interrupted the downright voice of Hector, who had been till then briefly engaged in collecting the croquet bats and balls. ' If it is as I have often heard, and papa ought to have a deal of money and a great estate over here, and is cheated out of it all, it is enough to make one hate the country altogether, and all that belongs to it. I mean to be like Julius, when I am older and livo abroad. It is a great deal more jolly I am sure, than this hole of a place, where a fellow does not know a creature, even for a game at cricket.'

4 And you are, therefore, obliged to put up with your sister, ahd~a match at croquet !' laughed Zoe, striving to evade the questioning look and tone of her high-spirited brother. ' Well, I can safely promise you it will not be for very long we shall remain here, so I advise you to make tke be3t of tho croquet games while you may. Tomorrow, unless papa returns, we will see whether you can relievo your feelings by conquering Eulalie and me ; and now run off, or the light will go before you. have finished.'

.. nd after Home slight parley and delay, tlio younger members of the Mortimer race went gaily oil on their expedition.

Zoe remained for some minutes in saddened thought, which the idle talk of the ambitious lad, and the complaints of Eulalie, had, in a measure, deepened in its forebadings.

' What is to be done ? Papa will not let me share in his confidence, nor listen to me when I want to tell him all,' thought the girl, musingly, as she at last roused herself, and went to prepare for her coming interview. 'If it were different, I would never venture on what lam going to do now. But it is all for their sakes—it is for the best, so far as I can judge ; and I hope it 13 right,' she continued ; and, with a sudden impulse, she hastily knelt down by her snowy couch, and offered up a brief petition for guidance from the Almighty wisdom that could never mislead her, ere she commenced the expedition that might affect the whole future life of those dearest to her. Surely no harm could be permitted to befall one so pure, and young, and trustful in her hazardous and important interview, with her strange kinsman— surely her good angel would watch over her steps 7 She hurried along the paths, which wero too unfrequented for any alarm that she would be watched or molested, till at length she arrived at the trystingplace, where the thick shadow of the , splendid lime and beech avenue of trees deepened the fast increasing gloom of the twilight hour. Presently ho came. His stealthy steps scarcely awakened the timid bird from its perch, nor the rabbit or hare from its retreat. And yet Zoe was conscious of his near neighborhood, and her heart beat high, while yet her head was drawn up involuntarily, and her presence was too dignified to show any signs of weakness to her companion. Fabian did not appear to heed the omen. He quickly drew near to his kinswoman, and extended his hand with a sort of matter-of-fact demeanor that could scarcely startle the fearful young stranger from her reverie. - ( -_--~«_l.-.gl i a^ —very glad you havo trusted me sufficiently;. J;o obey my petition, for this meetings my fair cousin,' he said, coolly taking lie? _&nd in his with the most ordinary familiarity,"" I and with neither boldness nor tenderness, in its touch. ' There is too much at stake for mere etiquette to be observed, and I only did you justice when I believed you superior to mere impulse and paltry punctilios.' Zoe inclined her head somewhat stiffly. ' Really, Mr Mortimer, I scarcely know whether I am doing right in coming here,' she returned, quietly ; ' but I am satisfied I mean only to act for the best ; and if you have used any false pretences to induce me to meet you, the error will rather be on your side than mine. Please to say what you wish in as short a space as may be.' - She spoke in a pleading voice, with a candid, unfliuching gaze at her companion. ' You defeat your own object, cousin Zoe,' said Fabian, slowly. 'It is impossible for any man, with taste to appreciate you, to hasten an interview that may yet be his last. You are far too charming in your utter unconsciousness not to attract a man irresistibly !' Fabian watched her every feature as he spoke these flattering words. ' If that is all—if you have but such idle nonsense to speak—l will leave you at once,' said Zoe, haughtily. ' I am not quite so simple, Mr Mortimer, as to fail to comprehend where my duty lies. It is insult, not flattery, you are o'ffen-g-*__U' __ ' No, no, — olr i_y honor, no !' returned Fabian, earnestly. ' A--,, believe me, there is a marked difference between ordinary love-making and what I would express ; nor- am I the impulsive nature to rush into love in an instant. I see you are superior to many, to most of your sex and age. I know you are my nearest kinswoman, and that you are in danger of which you have little idea. That is all. It is for you to understand and respond to my wishes and intentions ; thus we shall go on. smoothly, and without any needless fancies and recoils on your part or mine.' 'We will take that all for granted, then, if you please,' the girl said, quietly, ' and pass on to more important matters. What have you to say to me in this quiet spot, that cannot betray any comimniication V Her bearing was of singular dignity for one so young and inexperienced. ' Oh, a great deal more, perhaps, than you can imagine, Zoe,' he replied, carelessly. 'I am sure you are a most excellent and devoted sister and daughter, to Mr Mortimer and Julius, for example. What would you say if I told you they were both in imminent danger, and that it is chiefly by my own means, and, in a great measure, by stratagem, they can be saved ?' ' What do you mean ? What danger do you speak of ?' asked the alarmed girl. Well, I say nothing unless you are willing to join me in my efforts, Zoe,' replied Fabian, firmly. ' It is just this : your lather is, to my knowledge, disinherited by his own ; your brother is in the most perilous position from his own rash folly. Can you guess what I mean ?' ' You must be wrong ! Where is the deed of entail, which my father says absolutely existed ?' asked the girl, passionately. At least, it is deceit for you to speak thus !' ' You are wrong once more,' he returned. lam convinced the deed is destroyed—if. indeed, it ever existed. There is a decided certainty in your grandfather's manner which can scarcely be stimulated. lam fully under the impression that such is the case, though 1 could give no absolute proof of the fact. ' Rely on it,' he continued, firmly, ' the deed will never be forthcoming to save your father from ruin, if you are in the ieast depending on it, you will be most cruelly deceived !' Zoe's lips trembled as she faltered out the question, ' Do you know it ? Are you sure it is so 5' 'On my honor, my faith, no !' he replied. ' If I did, our positions would not be as equal as they are. But you are as welt able to judge as myself, and I expect you to show common sense in

tha matter. Do you suppose, from what you saw and heard of your grand- j father on the day I first met you there, he is a man to speak or to act without juat cause—at any rate, to threaten, where his fancies and passions are concerned ?' Zoe was silent. 4 1 am no lawyer, my sweet cousin,' he re»umed, after a pause. ' But this muoh I am sure—that it would, need a great deal more than ordinary words or oaths to obtain credit where such powerful motives existed for false swearing. How could it be certain that, the entail was not cut off in your father's time or one of his ancestors, and now claimed once more from motives of interest ? Nay, do not look indignant, my fair cousin ! I did not Bay such an idea could have ever entered my brain as a fact ; but it would, of course, he taken into consideration in a court of law. No, believe me, your father is in a most doubtful and dangerous position, so far as his heirship is concerned, unless I am totally mistaken in the facts. And then as to your brother, I have still more certain and unpleasant news of him to giye to you.' 4Of my brother—of Julius ? ! asked Zoe, breathlessly. ' Yes—of your brother Julius,' replied Fabian, calmly. 4He is in a most critical state. So far as I am informed, he is at this moment under arrest, in the fear of a yet more serious issue—of the death of a young fellow with whom he quarrelled, and which would certainly bring extremely unpleasant consequences on his head. But we will hope that this will be so far averted, though I apprehend that his prospects will be considerably injured in the diplomatic service by his folly !' Zoe sank down on the turf, which proved a soft and tempting repose, for she literally had no power to stand. 4 Are you inventing this to torment me, or is it really true V she asked, at length. ' It is only too true, my dear cousin !' he rejoined. ' But still you need not thus distress yourself, if you will be wise, and accept the help and the alliance I offer you. Ido not mean in a marriage sense' —he corrected himself, with a smile—' I meant an alliance offensive and defensive, which will keep Its own ' against all comers 1' And he held out his hand, as a kind of gauge of the troth he proffered. The girl vercbm'e to be fullyjilifelo its meaning. 'It is" dreadful, too dreadful I' she s '!?__, rather to herself than to her companion. ' Poor papa !No wonder he

p was overcome !'

' Then he knew it ? Your father was aware of it ?' exclaimed Fabian, eagerly.

' I cannot say ; I imagine so. He did not tell me,' she answered sadly. * Oh, Julius ! Julius ! what can we do?'

' I will tell you, if you will be wise and listen to me,' he returned, quietly. ' Zoe, I have no small influence with those on whom your brother's fate depends ; and should it happen that this unlucky opponent of his does recover, I am certain I could manage to get matters smoothed over, so as to ensure him another post, even if it is thought advisable for him to leave the scene of the escapade. And if you are .Trilling to give me the pledges I want, I will do my utmost to save him from the ruin that is impending. But you seem more troubled on his account than your father's. How is that ?' he asked, suspiciously.

• Because it would almost kill my father if such disgrace were to fall upon his son ; and because Julius would never endure it—never !'

Fabian smiled cynically at her words,

* I am not altogether so certain of that,' he said. ' Men who get in these scrapes are generally more insensible than you might expect to the consequences ; and as to your father, Zoe, I rather suspect he would be better able to sustain the blow if he was wejl prr>yided for, and his ot fcsv chifdreu in comfort, and-laxery. It is worse to bear's fasting sorrow than a full one, the canny Scotchmen say.'

' But you state it is done—that the deed is gone ; and I am certain the will is not favorable to my father,' said the girl, sadly. ' All is against us. What can be done ?'

' A great deal,' he replied. ' There may be arrangements made with the lucky heire which might deprive this blow of half its severity. I shall, in all probability, have much to do in the matter, since my father is in a state of almost helpless imbecility ; and I tell you candidly and from my heart that if Mr Noel Mortimer is willing to be reconciled to the more fortunate branch of his family, I shall be fully prepared to make liberal arrangements to compensate him for the disappointment, in consideration that he relinquishes his abortive and irritating attempts to regain what certainly never can be his. Now do you comprehend, Zoe ? I am not like some men—anxious to press claims on you for what may be some day a coveted prize. I only offer frankly and freely all that can be expected of a kinsman, and leave the rest for the future to decide.'

There waa a significance in his look that for the moment made Zoo drop her thickly-veiled lids ; but it passed away, and the next instant he was coolly and quietly regarding her, rather in anxiety than any idea of admiration or love.

' How can I answer ? It is for my father, not me, to undertake such promises,' she said, timidly.

' You can influence him—you can mould and soften his obstinate nature to your more feminine and forgiving instincts,' he replied.

' Perhaps,' she said, quietly. ' Yes, I shall try to persuade papa to do all that can be consistent with honor, for the sake of his own comfort, and his children's well-being. But if he does not think it worthy of a Mortimer to accept such terms, I certainly will never attempt to 'mould ' him, as you call it. I would starve sooner !'

And her fair face beamed with a consciousness of innate pride, which showed how little she was disposed, like her father, to sacri fico to o_podionoy tha honor of her house.

It made her dangerously beautiful in her cousin's sight; but if he felt one warmer emotion than mere admiration, he did not betray it by look, or word, or action.

Perhap3 there was not sufficient personal affinity between them for such sympathies and love.

* Well, happily, there is some interval before we need discuss these extreme measures,' he said, more lightly. ' Br_ it were well to form some decision before the crisis, and more especially where your brother's position is concerned.'

Zoe winced at the hint, but she had yet sufficient prescience and calmness to avoid any dangerous confessions of fears and weakness.

' Yes, I know—l understand—and I thank you from my heart for the warning,' she said, more gently than she had yet spoken ; ' but it must all depend on my father ; and he will hear from me all that you have stated about Julius,' sheadded,doubtingly. 'And now I must return ; my brother and sister will wonder at my absence. I shall not forget. Farewell, Mr Fabian.'

' Say Fabian only, and give me your hand in token of amity, and I shall have confidence in your regard,' he said, reproachfully. ' I will remain at the Place as long as possible, and use every imaginable effort to soften my uncle's feelings before he dies. More than that I cannot promise.'

Zoe was decidedly ungrateful, perhaps, for the hard coldness which pervaded her whole feelings when she hurriedly complied with her cousin's request. Yet she felt it was their only hope of safety and deliverance from their present poverty and still more threatening sorrows ; and with a desperate determination she crushed back the doubts that clouded her buoyant spirit, and strove to be thankful for such a promise of escape in their utmost need. [to be continued.]