s
engaged to your young friend Mr. Leslie?"

AUDLEY.--"Randal told me so; but I cannot believe it. In fact, I have
taken occasion to sound that fair creature's inclinations, and if I know
aught of women, her heart is not with Randal. I cannot believe her to be
one whose affections are so weak as to be easily constrained; nor can
I suppose that her father could desire to enforce a marriage that is
almost a misalliance. Randal must deceive himself; and from something
Harley just let fall, in our painful but brief conversation, I suspect
that his engagement with Miss Digby is broken off. He promises to tell
me more later. Yes," continued Audley, mournfully, "observe Violante's
countenance, with its ever-varying play; listen to her voice, to which
feeling seems to give the expressive music, and tell me whether you
are not sometimes reminded of--of--In one word, there is one who,
even without rank or fortune, would be worthy to replace the image of
Leonora, and be to Harley--what Leonora could not; for sure I am that
Violante loves him."

Harley, meanwhile, had lingered with Riccabocca and Violante, speaking
but on indifferent subjects, obtaining short answers from the first,
and none from the last, when the sage drew him a little aside, and
whispered, "She has consented to sacrifice herself to my sense of
honour. But, O Harley! if she be unhappy, it will break my heart. Either
you must give me sufficient proof of Randal's unworthiness, to absolve
me from my promise, or I must again entreat, you to try and conciliate
the poor child in his favour. All you say has weight with her; she
respects you as--a second father."

Harley did not seem peculiarly flattered by that last assurance; but
he was relieved from an immediate answer by the appearance of a man who
came from the direction of the stables, and whose dress, covered with
dust, and travel-stained, seemed like that of a foreign courier. No
sooner did Harley catch sight of this person, than he sprang forward,
and accosted him briefly and rapidly.

"You have been quick; I did not expect you so soon. You discovered the
trace? You gave my letter--"

"And have brought back the answer, my Lord," replied the man, taking the
letter from a leathern pouch at his side. Harley hastily broke open
the seal, and glanced over the contents, which were comprised in a few
lines.

"Good. Say not whence you came. Do not wait here; return at once to
London."

Harley's face seemed so u