sons and object were alike unknown to me, and am now restored to freedom by means of this gentleman's gallant interference."
"By whom, and wherefore, could this have been done?" pursued Mareschal.—"Had you no knowledge of the place to which you were conveyed?—Earnscliff, where did you find this lady?"
But ere either question could be answered, Ellieslaw advanced, and, returning his sword to the scabbard, cut short the conference.
"When I know," he said, "exactly how much I owe to Mr Earnscliff, he may rely on suitable acknowledgments; mean time," taking the bridle of Miss Vere's horse, "thus far I thank him for replacing my daughter in the power of her natural guardian."
A sullen bend of the head was returned by Earnscliff with equal haughtiness; and Ellieslaw, turning back with his daughter upon the road to his own house, appeared engaged with her in a conference so ear-
