will leave discovered some surer home than this, to which you can remove,
and then will be the proper time to take back your daughter. And for the
present, if you will send by me a letter to enjoin her to receive me as
her future bridegroom, it will necessarily divert all thought at once
from the count; I shall be able to detect by the manner in which she
receives me, how far the count has overstated the effect he pretends to
have produced. You can give me also a letter to Lady Lansmere, to
prevent your daughter coming hither. Oh, sir, do not reason with me.
Have indulgence for my lover's fears. Believe that I advise for the
best. Have I not the keenest interest to do so?"

Like many a man who is wise enough with pen and paper before him, and
plenty of time wherewith to get up his wisdom, Riccabocca was flurried,
nervous, and confused when that wisdom was called upon for any ready
exertion. From the tree of knowledge he had taken grafts enough to serve
for a forest; but the whole forest could not spare him a handy walking-
stick. The great folio of the dead Machiavelli lay useless before him,--
the living Machiavelli of daily life stood all puissant by his side. The
Sage was as supple to the Schemer as the Clairvoyant is to the Mesmerist;
and the lean slight fingers of Randal actually dictated almost the very
words that Riccabocca wrote to his child and her hostess.

The philosopher would have liked to consult his wife; but he was ashamed
to confess that weakness. Suddenly he remembered Harley, and said, as
Randal took up the letters which Riccabocca had indited,

"There, that will give us time; and I will send to Lord L'Estrange and
talk to him."

"My noble friend," replied Randal, mournfully, "may I entreat you not to