t that I began to suspect you. Eh, Phillis, was I
right?"

Phillis essayed a smile, but his features only accomplished a ghastly
grin.

"I will keep them, therefore, where they are," said Linton. "These
impulses of rash generosity are very costly pleasures; and there is no
such good practical economy as to husband one's confidence."

"I 'm sure, sir, I never thought I should have seen the day--"

"Go on, man; don't falter. What day do you mean?--that on which you had
attempted to outwit _me_; or, that on which I should show you all the
peril of your attempting it? Ay, and there is peril, Mr. Phillis: a
felony whose punishment is transportation for life is no small offence."

"Oh, sir!--oh, Mr. Linton, forgive me!" cried the other, in the most
abject voice. "I always believed that my devotion to your interests
would claim your protection."

"I never promised to further anything that was base or dishonest," said
Linton, with an air of assumed morality.

"You opened and read letters that were addressed to another; you spied
his actions, and kept watch upon all his doings; you wrote letters in
his name, and became possessed of every secret of his life by treachery;
you--"

"Don't talk so loud, Phillis; say all you have to say to _me._"

"Oh, dear, sir, forgive me the burst of passion. I never meant it. My
temper carried me away in spite of me." And he burst into tears as he
spoke.

"What a dangerous temper, that may at any moment make a felon of its
owner! Go, Phillis, there is no need of more between us. You know _me_.
I almost persuaded myself that I knew you. But if I know anything, it
is this"--here he approached, and laid his hand solemnly on the other's
shoulder--"that I would make hell itself the punishment of him who
injured me, were I even to share it with him."

Phillis's knees smote each other with terror at the look that
accompanied these words; they were spoken without passion or vehemence,
but there was that in their tone that thrilled to his inmost heart
Powerless, and overcome by his emotions, he could not stir from the
spot: he wanted to make explanations and excuses, but all his ingenuity
deserted him; he tried to utter vows of attachment and fidelity, but
shame was too strong for him there also. He would have resorted to
menace itself rather than remain silent, but he had no courage for such
a hazardous course. Linton appeared to read in turn each change of mood
that passed across the other'