grand seriousness.

"And now," said Nelly, hurriedly, for her patience had wellnigh given
in, "what's to be done? I have a project of my own, but I don't know
whether you would agree to it."

"Not agree to a project of yours! What do you take me for, Miss Ellen?"

"My dear Mr. Cutbill, I have exhausted all my compliments. I can only
say I indorse all the preceding with compound interest."

Slightly piqued by the half sarcasm of her manner, he simply said--"And
your project; what is it?"

"That you should be a close prisoner for the short time Mr. Sedley
stays here; sufficiently near to be able to communicate and advise with
you--for we count much on your counsel--and yet totally safe from even
the chance of meeting him. There is a small chapel about a mile oft,
where the family confessor used to live, in two neat little rooms
adjoining the building. These shall be made comfortable for you. We will
take care--I will--that you are not starved; and some of us will be sure
to go and see you every day, and report all that goes on. I foresee a
number of details, but I have no time now to discuss them; the great
point is, do you agree?"

"This is Miss Julia's scheme, is it not?"

"No, I assure you; on my word, it is mine."

"But you have concerted it with her?"

"Not even that; she knows nothing of it."

"With whom, then, have you talked it over?"

"With none, save Mr. Cutbill."

"In that case, Mr. Cutbill complies," said he, with a theatrical air of
condescension.

"You will go there?"

"Yes, I promise it."

"And remain close prisoner till I liberate you?"

"Everything you command."

"I thank you much, and I am very proud of my success," said she,
offering her hand. "Shall I own to you," said she, after a pause, "that
my brother's nerves have been so shaken by the agitation he has passed
through, and by the continual pressure of thinking that it is his own
personal fault that this battle has been so ill contested, that the
faintest show of censure on him now would be more than he could bear? I
have little doubt that the cause is lost, and I am only eager that poor
Augustus should not feel it was lost through _him_."

She was greatly agitated as she spoke, and, with a hurried farewell, she
turned and left him.

CHAPTER LXIII. THE CLIENT AND HIS LAWYER.

When the rest of the party had left the dinner-room, and Augustus
Bramleigh and Mr. Sedley found themselves alone, a silence of several
minutes