d by Kelson
when he comes to hear it,--for it would be hard to believe it all
accident,--and induce him to treat us with distrust and suspicion, or
whether it may conduce to a speedy settlement of everything, is more
than I can yet say.

"I am so far favorably impressed by M. Pracontal's manner and address
that I think he ought not to be one difficult to deal with. What may be
his impression, however, when he learns with whom he has been talking
so freely, is still doubtful to me. He cannot, it is true, mistrust your
son, but he may feel grave doubts about _me_.

"I own I do not expect to see him to-morrow. Kelson will certainly
advise him against such a step, nor do I yet perceive what immediate
good would result from our meeting, beyond the assuring him--as I
certainly should--that all that had occurred was pure chance, and that,
though perfectly familiar with his name and his pretensions, I had not
the vaguest suspicion of his identity till I read his card. It may be
that out of this strange blunder good may come. Let us hope it. I will
write to-morrow.

"Truly yours,

"M. Sedley."

Colonel Bramleigh re-read every line of the letter carefully; and as he
laid it down with a sigh, he said, "What a complication of troubles on
my hands! At the very moment that I am making engagements to relieve
others, I may not have the means to meet my own difficulties. Sedley
was quite wrong to make any advances to this man; they are sure to be
misinterpreted. Kelson will think we are afraid, and raise his terms
with us accordingly." Again his eyes fell upon Lady Augusta's letter;
but he had no temper now to encounter all the light gossip and frivolity
it was sure to contain. He placed it in his pocket, and set out to take
a walk. He wanted to think, but he also wanted the spring and energy
which come of brisk exercise. He felt his mind would work more freely
when he was in motion; and in the open air, too, he should escape
from the terrible oppression of being continually confronted by
himself--which he felt while he was in the solitude of his study.

"If M. Pracontal measure us by the standard of Master Jack," muttered
he, bitterly, "he will opine that the conflict ought not to be a tough
one. What fools these sailors are when you take them off their own
element; and what a little bit of a world is the quarter-deck of a
frigate! Providence has not blessed me with brilliant sons; that is
certain. It was through Temple we have