have not yet been
performed. This may be written for a blind to prevent pursuit."

"No, no; I cannot doubt its truth, and would not have a hope raised in my
heart to be crushed out again by despair. Beside, whither should I go in
pursuit of them?"

"I see you are in hopeless despondency, but I do not feel like giving over
without a struggle--I have too much to lose in Eveline. Shall I try to
rescue her?"

"Oh! yes, if you wish to do so."

"And if, by any means, I can circumvent this Hadley, and prevent their
union, I have your consent to make her my wife?"

"Certainly."

"And will you interpose parental authority in my behalf?"

"Yes, after this I will."

"I have still one request more to make, and that is, that you will permit
me to act in my own way, and according to my own judgment in this matter."

"Do so; I have no advice to give."

"Very well; I am to understand, then, that if by _any means_ I can rescue
Eveline from Hadley, she is to be my wife?"

"Yes."

"Then I will try. I will follow them to the end of the world if need be.
Perhaps you may hear from me soon, perhaps not for a month. Good-by."

In a few moments he was galloping away at full speed, as if to impress his
recent host with the idea that he was in great haste to be after the
fugitives.

Mr. Mandeville had been too deeply absorbed with his own feelings to pay
very strict attention to what Duffel was saying; but the words _by any
means_ now rose vividly up in his mind, and like a flash came the thought--

"He may intend to _murder_ Hadley!"

Starting to his feet, he hastened out for an explanation; but Duffel was
already gone, and turning back, he entered his dwelling with the
expression in his thoughts--

"Let him die: it matters not!"

Ah, had he known the true state of the case, and the devilish import of
those words in the mind of the abominable wretch who had uttered them, how
suddenly would he have aroused himself to action. But now he cared not.

"If," thought he, "Eveline is so ungrateful, if she thinks so little of a
father's love, let her go! Why need I seek to force her to stay with me
when she prefers the society of another? Oh, if I had not loved her so
tenderly, I could endure this trial better. But why mourn and lament? No,
rather let me forget her, as she has forsaken me."

But he could not forget her with all his resolving, and we will leave him
with his sorrow.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE INTERVIEW.

Fa