me, Marlow, and dread to open my
whole heart to him, as I would fain do, lest he should mistake me still
more."

"Let no dread stop you in this instance, my own dear girl," Marlow
answered. "That there have been dark plots against you, Emily, I am
certain. The only way to meet and frustrate them is to place full and
entire confidence in your father. I do not ask you to speak to him on
the subject unless he speaks to you, till I have obtained the proofs
which will make all as clear as daylight. Then, every thing must be
told, and Sir Philip will find that had he been more frank himself he
would have met with no want of candor in his daughter. Now, one more
kiss, dear love, and then to my horse's back."

I will not pursue Marlow's journey across the fair face of merry
England, nor tell the few adventures that befell him on the way, nor the
eager considerations that pressed, troop after troop, upon his mind,
neither will I dwell long upon his proceedings in London, which occupied
but one brief day. He went to the house of his banker, sought out the
little clerk of Messrs. Doubledoo and Kay, and contrived from both to
obtain proof positive that Mrs. Hazleton had supplied a large sum of
money to young John Ayliffe to carry on his suit against Sir Philip
Hastings. He also obtained a passport for France, and one or two letters
for influential persons in Paris, and returning to the inn where he had
left the man who had accompanied him from the country, set out for
Calais, without pausing even to take rest himself. Another man, a clerk
from his own lawyer's house, accompanied him, and though the passage was
somewhat long and stormy, he reached Calais in safety.

Journeys to Paris were not then such easy things as now. Three days
passed ere Marlow reached the French capital, and then both his
companions were inclined to grumble not a little at the rapidity with
which he travelled, and the small portion of rest he allowed them or
himself. In the capital, however, they paused for two days, and,
furnished with an interpreter and guide, amused themselves mightily,
while Marlow passed his time in government offices, and principally with
the lieutenant of police, or one of his commissaries.

At length the young gentleman notified his two companions that they must
prepare to accompany him at nine o'clock in the morning to St. Germain
en Laye, where he intended to reside for some days. A carriage was at
the door to the moment, and t