Well, come here, I say, you old sinner; they burned the place, you say ?" "Sir Robert and his men did, sir." "I'm not doubting that, you old house-leek.

I know Sir Robert too well--I know the infernal--ahem; a most excellent loyal gentleman, with two or three fine estates, both here and in England; but he prefers living here, for reasons best known to himself and me, and--and to somebody else.

Well, they burned Reilly out--but tell me this; did they catch the rascal himself?
eh?
here's five pounds for you, if you can say they have him safe." "That's rather a loose bargain, your honor," replied the man with a smile; "for saying it ?--why, what's to prevent me from saying it, if I wished ?" "None of your mumping, you old snapdragon; but tell me the truth, have they secured him hard and fast ?" "No, sir, he escaped them, and as report goes they know nothing about him, except that they haven't got him." Deep and speechless was the agony in which Helen sat during this short dialogue, her eyes having never once been withdrawn from the butler's countenance; but now that she had heard of her lover's personal safety, a thick, smothered sob, which, if it were to kill her, she could not repress, burst from her bosom.

Unwilling that either her father or the servant should witness the ecstasy which she could not conceal, and feeling that another minute would disclose the delight which convulsed her heart and frame, she arose, and, with as much composure as she could assume, went slowly out of the room.

On entering her apartment, she signed to her maid to withdraw, after which she closed and bolted the door, and wept bitterly.