the messenger have them.' So saying, he turned abruptly on his heel and made with Norah and Maurice for the railway hotel. Reid, thinking all three outrageously unreasonable, strode off homewards without a word.

'Where did you drop from, Maurice? How did you find her?'

'He saved my life, father; saved me from being burned alive,' said Norah timidly.

'What!' exclaimed Miles, stopping suddenly. 'Pshaw! it's nothing,' replied Maurice, almost irritably. Let us get into the hotel, and I'll explain the little there is to explain.'

They had some difficulty in getting into the hotel at such an hour. However, at last they roused the landlord, and were fortunate enough to get a room for Norah and a double-bedded room for themselves. Norah, who could eat or drink nothing, was sent at once to bed, while Miles and Maurice sat up together for an hour before they retired. Maurice, as may be supposed, made very light of the affair of the

fire, though he was in great pain at the moment, and feared that, as they slept in the same room, Miles must soon see how badly both his legs were burned.

But it was the state of Norah's affections of which the two friends talked most; and here Maurice, who was absolutely assured of her love for Reid, could give Miles no comfort. On the other hand he was too loyal to Norah to say anything of the strong grounds he had for his assurance.

'I cannot think it; I cannot think she cares for him, Maurice.' Maurice remained discouragingly silent.

'I don't like to ask her,' resumed Miles, as Maurice had made no answer.

6

No; I shouldn't ask her,' replied Maurice,

promptly and very decidedly.

pain her whichever way it is.

It would only

She will tell

you of herself, if the fellow has proposed; and, if he has not proposed, any reference to the matter would only torture her.' It will be

seen, and Miles saw, that Maurice in his advice took Norah's love for Reid for granted. Miles had now no doubt at all that Maurice had seen or heard something that evening, which he had a delicacy in mentioning, but which put beyond a doubt, to his mind, Norah's love for this fellow. Miles was wretched about it, but, on the whole, he thought Maurice's advice sound, and resolved to wait for a confession from Norah. But Norah, it will be remembered, had given Reid a pledge that she would consider his proposal unspoken-or, in other words, would let no one know of it. Therefore Miles-not having the remotest idea of Maurice's love for Norah nor of Norah's for him-naturally set her mute misery next day down to hopeless love for Reid Summers. The next day Norah was supremely wretched, with some reason.

to see Maurice and come to

She was unable

an explanation;

and she was unable from a cause which em

bittered the disappointment.

Maurice's burns

were in such a state that the doctor wouldn't hear of his moving even from bed. Miles, in helping him the night before to undress, was so shocked by the sight of them, that nothing would prevent him going, even at that hour, in search of a doctor to dress them. It was as well he had, for the doctor pronounced that a night's delay in attending to them would have had the most serious consequences. As it was, they were in such a condition the next morning that the doctor insisted on a couple of days' absolute quietude.

Thus it came about that Maurice's conviction of Norah's love for Reid Summerswhich he had communicated in full force to Miles-remained unshaken. If Norah had seen him before her departure for Ireland next day, she might have mustered the courage to ask an explanation of his estrangement; but Maurice next day was a strict prisoner in the doctor's hands.

225

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE LION'S PORTRAIT OF THE MAN.

Will much knowledge create thee a double belly?—Answer of Imam Ali Zadi to Mr. Layard's attempt to suggest another motive for his labours.

To found a great empire for the sole purpose of raising up a people of customers may at first sight appear a project fit only for a nation of shopkeepers.-ADAM SMITH,

It must be allowed that both Miles and Maurice were hasty in their condemnation, unheard, of Reid Summers; but what they knew of the man and of the circumstances were against him. Besides, neither father nor rival was in a calm, judicial frame of mind at the moment. On hearing Norah's account next morning of the night's misadventures, Miles repented of this hastiness to the extent even of a desire to

apologise for it. Having slept as little as Maurice-who was in too great pain to sleephe had got up very early and had sent a mes

VOL. II.