hunt them up before I was quite sure that, if I regained my property in
that phenomenon, the law would protect it."

MRS. CRANE (moving to the door).--"Well, Jasper Losely, you will sell the
young lady, I doubt not; and when you have sold her, let me know." She
came back and whispered, "You will not perhaps now want money from me,
but I shall see you again; for, if you would find the child, you will
need my aid."

"Certainly, my dear friend, I will call again; honour bright."

Mrs. Crane here bowed to the gentlemen, and swept out of the room.

Thus left alone, Losely and Rugge looked at each other with a shy and yet
cunning gaze,--Rugge's hands in his trouser's pockets, his head thrown
back; Losely's hands in voluntarily expanded, his head bewitchingly bent
forward, and a little on one side.

"Sir," said Rugge, at length, "what do you say to a chop and a pint of
wine? Perhaps we could talk more at our ease elsewhere. I am only in
town for a day; left my company thirty miles off,--orphans, as I said
before."

"Mr. Rugge," said Losely, "I have no desire to stay in London, or indeed
in England; and the sooner we can settle this matter the better. Grant
that we find the young lady, you provide for her board and lodging; teach
her your honourable profession; behave, of course, kindly to her."

"Like a father."