yours. Miss Ladd's drawing-master, Mr. Alban Morris, is even more
devoted to Miss Emily's service than I am. Whatever you might have said
to me, you can say to him--with this possible advantage, that _he_ may
believe you."

There the letter ended. Alban handed it back in silence.

Miss Jethro pointed to the words, "Mr. Alban Morris is even more devoted
to Miss Emily's service than I am."

"Is that true?" she asked.

"Quite true."

"I don't complain, Mr. Morris, of the hard things said of me in that
letter; you are at liberty to suppose, if you like, that I deserve them.
Attribute it to pride, or attribute it to reluctance to make needless
demands on your time--I shall not attempt to defend myself. I leave
you to decide whether the woman who has shown you that letter--having
something important to say to you--is a person who is mean enough to say
it under false pretenses."

"Tell me what I can do for you, Miss Jethro: and be assured, beforehand,
that I don't doubt your sincerity."

"My purpose in coming here," she answered, "is to induce you to use your
influence over Miss Emily Brown--"

"With what object?" Alban asked, interrupting her.

"My object is her own good. Some years since, I happened to become
acquainted with a person who has attained some celebrity as a preacher.
You have perhaps heard of Mr. Miles Mirabel?"

"I have heard of him."

"I have been in correspondence with him," Miss Jethro proceeded. "He
tells me he has been introduced to a young lady, who was formerly one of
Miss Ladd's pupils, and who is the daughter of Mr. Wyvil, of Monksmoor
Park. He has called on Mr. Wyvil; and he has since received an
invitation to stay at Mr. Wyvil's house. The day fixed for the visit is
Monday, the fifth of next month."

Alban listened--at a loss to know what interest he was supposed to have
in being made acquainted with Mr. Mirabel's engagements. Miss Jethro's
next words enlightened him.

"You are perhaps aware," she resumed, "that Miss Emily Brown is Miss
Wyvil's intimate friend. She will be one of the guests at Monksmoor
Park. If there are any obstacles which you can place in her way--if
there is any influence which you can exert, without exciting suspicion
of your motive--prevent her, I entreat you, from accepting Miss Wyvil's
invitation, until Mr. Mirabel's visit has come to an end."

"Is there anything against Mr. Mirabel?" he asked.

"I say nothing against him."

"Is Miss Emily acquainted with