villain it reveals the sympathetic purposes of his according fiend. What
the lead and line are to the pilot, the smile, the cunning, dissembling
smile, is to the base mind. By means of it he feels his way into the
heart and soul of his supposed prototype.

Maxwell knew enough of human character to read correctly the meaning of
Jaspar's crafty smile. The attorney had long known that he was cold and
unfeeling, a bear in his deportment, and sadly lacking in common
integrity; but that he was capable of bold and daring villany he had had
no occasion to suspect. As he turned to the document again, the base
character of the uncle came up for consideration in connection with his
suit to the niece. Might not this circumstance open the way to the
attainment of his grand purpose?

But, while he considers, let us turn our attention to the development of
the history and circumstances of the Dumont family.




CHAPTER II.

"_Lorenzo_. You loved, and he did love!
_Mariana_. To say he did
Were to affirm what oft his eyes avouched,
What many an action testified--and yet,
What wanted confirmation of his tongue."

KNOWLES.