by mentioning, as a touching fact, how poor John Avenel, bowed
down by the loss of his child and the malady which had crippled his
limbs and enfeebled his mind, had still risen from his bed to keep his
word. And Audley's emotions seemed to him so earnest and genuine, to
show so good a heart, that out by little and little came more: first,
his suspicions that poor Nora had been betrayed; then his hopes that
there might have been private marriage; and as Audley, with his iron
self-command, showed just the proper degree of interest, and no more, he
went on, till Audley knew that he had a child.

"Inquire no further!" said the man of the world. "Respect Mrs. Avenel's
feelings and wishes, I entreat you; they are the right ones. Leave
the rest to me. In my position--I mean as a resident of London--I
can quietly and easily ascertain more than you could, and provoke no
scandal! If I can right this--this--poor--[his voice trembled]--right
the lost mother, or the living child, sooner or later you will hear
from me; if not, bury this secret where it now rests, in a grave which
slander has not reached. But the child--give me the address where it is
to be found--in case I succeed in finding the father, and touching his
heart."

"Oh, Mr. Egerton, may I not say where you may find that father--who he
is?"

"Sir!"

"Do not be angry; and, after all, I cannot ask you to betray any
confidence which a friend may have placed in you. I know what you men
of high honour are to each other, even in sin. No, no, I beg pardon; I
leave all in your hands. I shall hear from you then?"

"Or if not, why, then, believe that all search is hopeless. My friend!
if you mean Lord L'Estrange, he is innocent. I--I--I--[the voice
faltered]--am convinced of it."

The curate sighed, but made no answer. "Oh, ye men of the world!"
thought he. He gave the address which the member for Lansmere had asked
for, and went his way, and never heard again from Audley Egerton. He was
convinced that the man who had showed such deep feeling had failed in
his appeal to Harley's conscience, or had judged it best to leave
Nora's name in peace, and her child to her own relations and the care of
Heaven.

Harley L'Estrange, scarcely yet recovered, hastened to join our armies
on the Continent, and seek the Death which, like its half-brother,
rarely comes when we call it.

As soon as Harley was gone, Egerton went to the village to which Mr.
Dale had directed him, to seek for