f
her, you may be sure of that, but they thrust themselves continually
forward. The form of Francis Levison was ever present to her; not a
minute of the day but it gave the coloring to her thoughts, and at night
it made the subject of her dreams. Oh, those dreams! They were painful
to wake from; painful from the contrasts they presented to reality; and
equally painful to her conscience, in its strife after what was right.

Mr. Carlyle mounted his horse one morning and rode over to Levison
Park. He asked for Sir Peter, but was shown into the presence of Lady
Levison--a young and pretty woman dressed showily. She inquired his
business.

"My business, madam, is with Sir Peter."

"But Sir Peter is not well enough to attend to business; it upsets
him--worries him."

"Nevertheless, I am here by his own appointment. Twelve o'clock he
mentioned; and the hour has barely struck."

Lady Levison bit her lip and bowed coldly; and at that moment a servant
appeared to conduct Mr. Carlyle to Sir Peter. The matter which had taken
Mr. Carlyle thither was entered upon immediately--Francis Levison, his
debts, and his gracelessness. Sir Peter, an old gentleman in a velvet
skullcap, particularly enlarged upon the latter.

"I'd pay his debts to-day and set him upon his legs again, but that I
know I should have to do the same thing over and over again to the end
of the chapter, as I have done it repeatedly hitherto," cried Sir Peter.
"His grandfather was my only brother, his father my dutiful and beloved
nephew; but he is just as bad as they were estimable. He is a worthless
fellow and nothing else, Mr. Carlyle."

"His tale drew forth my compassion, and I promised I would see you and
speak for him," returned Mr. Carlyle. "Of Captain Levison's personal
virtues or vices, I know nothing."

"And the less you know the better," growled Sir Peter. "I suppose he
wants me to clear him and start him afresh."

"Something of that sort, I conclude."

"But how is it to be done? I am at home, and he is over there. His
affairs are in a state of confusion, and nobody can come to the bottom
of them without an explanation from him. Some liabilities, for which I
have furnished the money, the creditors swear have not been liquidated.
He must come over if he wants anything done."

"Where is he to come to? He must be in England _sub rosa_."

"He can't be here," hastily rejoined Sir Peter. "Lady Levison would not
have him for a day."

"He might be at