mple natives--benefactor outraged--honest
impulse--regretted, the moment they understood the capture had been
legally made. Then throw dirt on the plaintiff. He is malicious, and
can be proved to have forsworn himself in Bassett _v._ Bassett."

A tap at the door, and Mary Wells put in her head. "If you please, sir,
my lady is tired, and she wishes to say a word to you before she goes
upstairs."

"Excuse me one minute," said Mr. Angelo, and followed Mary Wells. She
ushered him into a boudoir, where he found Lady Bassett seated in an
armchair, with her head on her hand, and her eyes fixed sadly on the
carpet.

She smiled faintly, and said, "Well, what do you wish to say to me?"

"It is about Mr. Oldfield. He is clearly incompetent."

"I don't know. I snubbed him, poor man: but if the law is all against
us!"

"How does he know that? He assumes it because he is prejudiced in favor
of the enemy. How does he _know_ they have done _everything_ the Act of
Parliament requires? And, if they have, Law is not invincible. When Law
defies Morality, it gets baffled, and trampled on in all civilized
communities."

"I never heard that before."

"But you would if you had been at Oxford," said he, smiling.

"Ah!"

"What we want is a man of genius, of invention; a man who will see
every chance, take every chance, lawful or unlawful, and fight with all
manner of weapons."

Lady Bassett's eye flashed a moment. "Ah!" said she; "but where can I
find such a man, with knowledge to guide his zeal?"

"I think I know of a man who could at all events advise you, if you
would ask him."

"Ah! Who?"

"He is a writer; and opinions vary as to his merit. Some say he has
talent; others say it is all eccentricity and affectation. One thing is
certain--his books bring about the changes he demands. And then he is
in earnest; he has taken a good many alleged lunatics out of
confinement."

"Is it possible? Then let us apply to him at once."

"He lives in London; but I have a friend who knows him. May I send an
outline to him through that friend, and ask him whether he can advise
you in the matter?"

"You may; and thank you a thousand times!"

"A mind like that, with knowledge, zeal, and invention, must surely
throw some light."

"One would think so, dear friend."

"I'll write to-night and send a letter to Greatrex; we shall perhaps
get an answer the day after to-morrow."

"Ah! you are not the one to go to sleep in the service of a