without assistance of this nature he would not know
how to guide himself. Undoubtedly the wealth of the presumed heiress
had become dearer to him,--had become at least more important to
him,--since he had learned that it must probably be lost. Sir
William Patterson was a gentleman as well as a lawyer;--one who had
not simply risen to legal rank by diligence and intellect, but a
gentleman born and bred, who had been at a public school, and had
lived all his days with people of the right sort. Sir William was his
legal adviser, and he would commit Lady Anna's secret to the keeping
of Sir William.

There was a coach which started in those days from York at noon,
reaching London early on the following day. He would go up by this
coach, and would thus avoid the necessity of much further association
with his family before he had decided what should be his conduct. But
he must see his cousin before he went. He therefore sent a note to
her before she had left her room on the following morning;--

DEAR ANNA,

I purpose starting for London in an hour or so, and wish
to say one word to you before I go. Will you meet me at
nine in the drawing-room? Do not mention my going to my
uncle or aunts, as it will be better that I should tell
them myself.

Yours, L.

At ten minutes before nine Lady Anna was in the drawing-room waiting
for him, and at ten minutes past nine he joined her.

"I beg your pardon for keeping you waiting." She gave him her hand,
and said that it did not signify in the least. She was always early.
"I find that I must go up to London at once," he said. To this she
made no answer, though he seemed to expect some reply. "In the first
place, I could not remain here in comfort after what you told me
yesterday."

"I shall be sorry to drive you away. It is your home; and as I must
go soon, had I not better go at once?"

"No;--that is, I think not. I shall go at any rate. I have told none
of them what you told me yesterday."

"I am glad of that, Lord Lovel."

"It is for you to tell it,--if it must be told."

"I did tell your aunt Jane,--that you and I never can be as--you said
you wished."

"I did wish it most heartily. You did not tell it--all."

"No;--not all."

"You astounded me so, that I could hardly speak to you as I should
have spoken. I did not mean to be uncourteous."

"I did not think you uncourteous, Lord Lovel. I am sure you would not
be uncourteous to me."

"But