business did not happen to be something of more importance to you than to any one else."
"You don't come from Mr Debarry, then?" said Harold, with some surprise.
"No, sir. My business is a secret; and, if you please, must remain so."
"Is it a pledge you are demanding from me?" said Harold, rather suspiciously, having no ground for confidence in a man of Christian's position.
"Yes, sir; I am obliged to ask no less than that you will pledge yourself not to take Mr Jermyn into confidence concerning what passes between us."
"With all my heart," said Harold, something like a gleam passing over his face. His circulation had become more rapid. "But what have you had to do with Jermyn?"
"He has not mentioned me to you then—has he, sir?"
"No; certainly not—never."
Christian thought, "Aha, Mr Jermyn! you are keeping the secret well, are you?" He said, aloud,
"Then Mr Jermyn has never mentioned to you, sir, what I believe he is aware of—that there is danger of a new suit being raised against you on the part of a Bycliffe, to get the estate?"
"Ah!" said Harold, starting up, and placing him-
