whom Jasper Losely called daughter, and whom the guardian she so
venerated believed to be his grandchild. All of comfort that Lady
Montfort could suggest was, that Sophy was so young that she would
conquer what might be but a girl's romantic sentiment--or, if a more
serious attachment, one that no troth had cemented--for a person she
might not see again for years; Lionel was negotiating exchange into a
regiment on active service. "Meanwhile," said Lady Montfort, "I shall
never wed again. I shall make it known that I look on your Sophy as the
child of my adoption. If I do not live to save sufficient for her out of
an income that is more than thrice what I require, I have instructed my
lawyers to insure my life for her provision; it will be ample. Many a
wooer, captivating as Lionel, and free from the scruples that fetter his
choice, will be proud to kneel at the feet of one so lovely. This rank
of mine, which has never yet bestowed on me a joy, now becomes of value,
since it will give dignity to--to Matilda's child, and--and to--" Lady
Montfort sobbed.

Waife listened respectfully, and for the time was comforted. Certainly,
in his own heart he was glad that Lionel Haughton was permanently
separated from Sophy. There was scarcely a man on earth, of fair station
and repute, to whom he would have surrendered Sophy with so keen a pang
as to Charles Haughton's son.

The poor young lovers! all the stars seemed against them! Was it not
enough that Guy Darrell should be so obdurate! must the mild William
Losely be also a malefic in their horoscope?

But when, that same evening, the old man more observantly than ever
watched his grandchild, his comfort vanished--misgivings came over him--
he felt assured that the fatal shaft had been broken in the wound, and