and Beatrice di Negra. Indeed, as to the first, a ray of hope was
sufficient to fire the ardent and unsuspecting lover. And Randal's
artful misrepresentation of his conference with Mrs. Hazeldean removed
all fear of parental displeasure from a mind always too disposed to give
itself up to the temptation of the moment. Beatrice, though her feelings
for Frank were not those of love, became more and more influenced by
Randal's arguments and representations, the more especially as her
brother grew morose, and even menacing, as days slipped on, and she
could give no clew to the retreat of those whom he sought for. Her
debts, too, were really urgent. As Randal's profound knowledge of human
infirmity had shrewdly conjectured, the scruples of honour and pride,
that had made her declare she would not bring to a husband her own
encumbrances, began to yield to the pressure of necessity. She listened
already, with but faint objections, when Randal urged her not to wait
for the uncertain discovery that was to secure her dowry, but by a
private marriage with Frank escape at once into freedom and security.
While, though he had first held out to young Hazeldean the inducement
of Beatrice's dowry as a reason of self-justification in the eyes of the
squire, it was still easier to drop that inducement, which had always
rather damped than fired the high spirit and generous heart of the poor
Guardsman. And Randal could conscientiously say, that when he had asked
the squire if he expected fortune with Frank's bride, the squire had
replied, "I don't care." Thus encouraged by his friend and his own
heart, and the softening manner of a woman who might have charmed many a
colder, and fooled many a wiser man, Frank rapidly yielded to the snares
held out for his perdition. And though as yet he honestly shrank from
proposing to Beatrice or himself a marriage without the consent, and
even the knowledge, of his parents, yet Randal was quite content to
leave a nature, however good, so thoroughly impulsive and undisciplined,
to the influences of the first strong passion it had ever known.
Meanwhile, it was so easy to dissuade Frank from even giving a hint to
the folks at home. "For," said the wily and able traitor, "though we
may be sure of Mrs. Hazeldean's consent, and her power over your father,
when the step is once taken, yet we cannot count for certain on the
squire, he is so choleric and hasty. He might hurry to town, see Madame
di Negra, blurt o