without another word, and read. What reading it was too! And do you not
remember another time, how--"

LADY MONTFORT (interrupting with nervous impatience).--"Ay, ay--I need
no reminding of all--all! Kindest, noblest, gentlest friend to a giddy,
heedless child, unable to appreciate the blessing. But now, George, I
dare not, I cannot write to Mr. Darrell."

George mused a moment, and conjectured that Lady Montfort had, in the
inconsiderate impulsive season of youth, aided in the clandestine
marriage of Darrell's daughter, and had become thus associated in his
mind with the affliction that had embittered his existence. Were this
so, certainly she would not be the fitting, intercessor on behalf of
Sophy. His thoughts then turned to his uncle, Darrell's earliest friend,
not suspecting that Colonel Morley was actually the person whom Darrell
had already appointed his adviser and representative in all transactions
that might concern the very parties under discussion. But just as he was
about to suggest the expediency of writing to Alban to return to England,
and taking him into confidence and consultation, Lady Montfort resumed,
in a calmer voice and with a less troubled countenance:

"Who should be the pleader for one whose claim, if acknowledged, would
affect his own fortunes, but Lionel Haughton?--Hold!--look where yonder
they come into sight--there by the gap in the evergreens. May we not
hope that Providence, bringing those two beautiful lives together, gives
a solution to the difficulties which thwart our action and embarrass our
judgment? I conceived and planned a blissful romance the first moment I
gathered fran Sophy's artless confidences the effect that had been
produced on her whole train of thought and feeling by the first meeting
with Lionel in her childhood; by his brotherly, chivalrous kindness, and,