“Thank you for that assurance; it relieves me from one source of disquiet.”

“I am entitled to no thanks; it is not a parent’s prerogative to use violence in such cases, though I once held differently.  And let me here say to you, that in all I have done my motives were pure.  I desired your good above all else, and that I was endeavoring to procure happiness for you in the wrong way was only an error of judgment, the incorrectness of which I now see clearly.”

“How much I have misunderstood you, and how much you have misconceived your own heart.”

“True; the world, and the opinions of worldly men, had almost buried up the good that was in me; but the light of Heaven has shone into my spirit, the fog is dispelled, and I see where I have departed from the right way.”

“Thank Heaven for that!”

“I hope, now that we understand each other, I may dare to make a request of you, which you may or may not feel free to grant.”

“Name it.”

“It is this, that you will hold no communication with Hadley until this matter is satisfactorily cleared up, or until he can show that he is innocent of the crimes this letter would fasten upon him.”

“If it is your wish I will do so, though I should be pleased to know what he could say in his own favor.  I feel strongly confident he will be able to prove himself innocent of all and any participation in the many thefts and other villainies which have of late become so common.  Where is he now?”

“Ah, there it is again!  I have not told you that Tom was stolen some time ago.”

“Tom stolen!”

“Yes; he was taken very soon after this letter came into my possession, and Hadley has never been seen or heard of since!”

“How?”

“On the very night that Tom was taken from the stable, Hadley disappeared, and neither he nor the horse have been heard of since!  Have I not strong reasons for believing him guilty, as held out in this letter?”

“I must confess, this last piece of intelligence staggers my faith.”

“You will now begin to understand why I took such decided steps toward him, as a visitor here, on that memorable occasion which resulted so disastrously.  I had the strongest assurance of his being associated with bad men for bad purposes, ere I forbid him the house.  I only regret that I acted so precipitately.  I hope, however, all will come right in the end.”

“God grant that it may.”

Here their intercourse was interrupted by the announcement that Duffel had called and inquired for Mr. Mandeville.—­They returned to the house, and the two gentlemen had a private interview to the following effect: 

“How is Eveline?” inquired Duffel.

“I am happy to say she is very much better.”

“I am truly glad to hear that she is convalescing.  What do you think is the state of her feelings in certain delicate matters?”