CHAPTER XIII.
THE SERPENT LET LOOSE.
Walter Clifford was so distressed at this outburst, and the prospect of actual litigation between his father and his sweetheart's father, that Julia Clifford pitied him, and, after thinking a little, said she would stop it for the present.

She then sat down, and in five minutes the docile pen of a female letter-writer produced an ingratiating composition impossible to resist.

She apologized for her apparent insincerity, but would be candid, and confide the whole truth to Mr.Bell.Then she told him that Colonel Clifford "had only just been saved from death by a miracle, and a relapse was expected in case of any great excitement or irritation, such as a doubtful lawsuit with a gentleman he disliked would certainly cause.

The proposed litigation was, _for various reasons_, most distressing to his son and successor, Walter Clifford, and would Mr.Bell be so very kind as to put the question off as long as possible by any means he thought proper ?" Walter was grateful, and said, "What a comfort to have a lady on one's side!" "I would rather have a gentleman on mine," said Julia, laughing.
Mr.Bell wrote a discreet reply.

He would wait till the Assizes--six weeks' delay--and then write to the Colonel, postponing his visit.