with a secret.
Henceforth in the shadows there would lurk something more dreadful
even than the bogeys with which some foolish nursemaids people shadows
for their charges--the gigantic hand of the law, ready to drag her off
at any moment from all she loved. And there seemed no help for her
anywhere--for had not Harold said that if her father or anyone were
to know, they would be obliged to give her up to punishment.

Perhaps if Caffyn had been capable of fully realising what a deadly
poison he had been instilling into this poor child's mind, he might
have softened matters a little more (provided his object could have
been equally well attained thereby), and that is all that can be said
for him. But, as it was, he only saw that he must make as deep an
impression as he could for the moment, and never doubted that she
would forget his words as soon as he should himself.

But if there was some want of thought in the evil he had done, the
want of thought in this case arose from a constitutional want of
heart.

CHAPTER XVI.

A CHANGE OF FRONT.

'Well, Jane,' said Mr. Lightowler one evening, when he had invited
himself to dine and sleep at the house in Malakoff Terrace, 'I suppose
you haven't heard anything of that grand young gentleman of yours
yet?'

The Ashburns, with the single exception of Trixie, had remained
obstinately indifferent to the celebrity which Mark had so suddenly
obtained; it did not occur to most of them indeed that distinction was
possible in the course he had taken. Perhaps many of Mahomet's
relations thought it a pity that he should abandon his excellent
prospects in the caravan business (where he was making himself so much
respected), for the precarious and unremunerative career of a prophet.

Trixie, however, had followed the book's career with wondering
delight; she had bought a copy for herself, Mark not having found
himself equal to sending her one, and she had eagerly collected
reviews and allusions of all kinds, and tried hard to induce Martha
at least to read the book.

Martha had coldly declined. She had something of her mother's hard,
unimaginative nature, and read but little fiction; and besides, having
from the first sided strongly against Mark, she would not compromise
her dignity now by betraying so much interest in his performances.
Cuthbert read the book, but in secret, and as he said nothing to its
discredit, it may be presumed that he could find no particular fault
w