that you are grievously abused, not merely by Lady Fairland, but by another individual in close combination with her for what is neither good nor honest— for what son cannot name to a father.'

Sir John started, turned deadly pale, and said eagerly, 'Of whom do you speak?'

''Of Mr. Richard Graves, sir, your secretary.'

Sir John Fairland absolutely gasped for breath on hearing this, so sudden, so unexpected was it, from the lips of his son. He dropped down in a chair that stood near him. So great was the shock, so strong the sense of injury within his bosom, that he lost all power of self-command. All that distance which he had hitherto observed in making his son a stranger to his thoughts and fears, was in a moment forgotten; and clasping his hands as he wrung them in the extremity of his passionate feelings, he set his teeth together, looked upward, and at length said, in the bitterness of his soul, 'Curse her! ungrateful woman. I had myself entertained some suspicions, but I thought I might be mistaken. I did not dream that her infamy was so barefaced as to

have attracted the observation of others, and to learn it from my own son. And the scoundrel Graves! I can now understand why I am so counselled by Lady Fairland to—and to trust my children to the care of Graves-honest Mr. Graves!-if anything should happen to me! The villain; he looks to step into my place! But I will deal with him in a way he little thinks. Hark ye, Charles; come hither. I should never have told you of these matters, but you glanced at them; you spoke something, and I have said too much now to draw back. Can I trust you? Will you forget the past, and be to me as a son indeed?'

Sir, I hope I have hitherto done nothing that should cause you to doubt my sense of duty, and that I may be trusted by my father.'

'I believe it. You are a good youth. First, then, know that Graves has, I fear, led me into a most injurious money transaction with a fellow whom I have only this day discovered to be a cheat—aye, a villain. I cannot but suspect, from this and other circumstances, that my steward, my secretary, as you

call him, relying on the easy trust which, at the instance of my wife, I have hitherto reposed in him, has some deep design on my property, and may need the help of a confederate.'

'I am grieved, but not surprised to hear this,' said Charles; but if this were the worst'-he paused, and Sir John filled up the pause by saying

'It is not the worst. I am too much disturbed to be capable of cool consideration. I will now only say this. I have cause to suspect Graves and my wife the wife who, I will confess to you, has of late made me the most miserable man alive. Yet there are circumstances; I am too much in her power. I cannot, I dare not, do all I would do at this moment, unless my worst suspicions are confirmed. But I will take such measures that these wily serpents shall not escape chastisement. Charles, say not a word to any living creature, but watch closely; keep an eye on Graves, on them both, and tell me all you hear, see, suspect. Let not a word, a half-spoken word, escape you. In the interval I will lay a snare, and the devil, whom they have long served, will not

H

be slow to lead them into it. But time will be required, some days at least, before my scheme

can be brought to bear. Yet it will not, I trust, Remember, silence, caution, watchfulness.

fail me. Farewell,'

CHAPTER VI.

The image of a wicked, heinous fault
Lives in his eye; that close aspect of his

Does show the mood of a much troubled breast.

Shakespeare.

WHEN Sir John Fairland dismissed Charles from his presence he was in a state of mind such as his son, who had seen him in many instances of passion, had never before witnessed. He proceeded forthwith to summons his secretary to attend upon him.

up; he was

As Graves entered the room he looked struck with the air of angry determination which at the moment was strongly imprinted on every feature of his hitherto complacent patron. Nor did he like the abrupt manner in which Sir John addressed him, saying

'So, Mr. Graves, I find by information I have this day received, from one whose accuracy I have never had cause to doubt, that it is known your friend, Mr.