old soul," said Dick, as he joined Leonard at the
threshold; "she always had her tempers. And since there is no vote to be
got in this house, and one can't set a caucus on one's own father,--at
least in this extraordinary rotten and prejudiced old country, which is
quite in its dotage,--we'll not come here to be snubbed any more. Bless
their old hearts, nevertheless!"

Leonard's acute sensibility in all that concerned his birth, deeply
wounded by Mrs. Avenel's allusions, which he comprehended better than
his uncle did, was also kept on the edge by the suspense to which he
was condemned by Harley's continued silence as to the papers confided
to that nobleman. It seemed to Leonard almost unaccountable that Harley
should have read those papers, be in the same town with himself, and
yet volunteer no communication. At length he wrote a few lines to Lord
L'Estrange, bringing the matter that concerned him so deeply before
Harley's recollection, and suggesting his own earnest interest in any
information that could supply the gaps and omissions of the desultory
fragments. Harley, in replying to this note, said, with apparent reason,
"that it would require a long personal interview to discuss the subject
referred to, and that such an interview, in the thick of the contest
between himself and a candidate opposed to the Lansmere party, would
be sure to get wind, be ascribed to political intrigues, be impossible
otherwise to explain, and embarrass all the interests confided to their
respective charge. That for the rest, he had not been unmindful of
Leonard's anxiety, which must now mainly be to see justice done to the
dead parent, and learn the name, station, and character of the parent
yet surviving. And in this Harley trusted to assist him as soon as the
close of the poll would present a suitable occasion." The letter was
unlike Harley's former cordial tone: it was hard and dry. Leonard
respected L'Estrange too much to own to himself that it was unfeeling.
With all his rich generosity of nature, he sought excuses for what he
declined to blame. Perhaps something in Helen's manner or words had led
Harley to suspect that she still cherished too tender an interest in the
companion of her childhood; perhaps under this coldness of expression
there lurked the burning anguish of jealousy. And, oh, Leonard so well
understood, and could so nobly compassionate even in his prosperous
rival, that torture of the most agonizing of human passions,