Lady Laura looked down while her father spoke; and when her first agitation was over, she could not but think, that perhaps, considering her father’s character, Wilton was right; and that the means he had taken, though apparently ungenerous, were the only ones to secure her own happiness and his, and her father’s safety also.  The next instant, however, as she recollected a thousand different traits in her lover’s conduct, and combined those recollections with what her father said concerning Lord Byerdale, she became convinced that Wilton had not made such conditions, and that rather than have made them he would have risked everything, even if the Duke were certain to deny him her hand the moment after his liberation.

“I do not think, my dear father,” she replied, as this conviction came strong upon her—­“I do not think that Wilton did prompt the Earl of Byerdale.  I do not think he would make such conditions, on any account.”

“Well, it does not matter, my dear Laura,” replied her father, whose mind was totally taken up with his own escape.  “It comes to the same thing.  The Earl has made them, if Wilton has not, and I have pledged my word for your consent.  But hark, Laura, I hear Wilton’s step in the outer room.  I will leave you two together to make all your arrangements, and to enter into every explanation,” and he turned hurriedly towards the door which led to his bedroom.

Ere he reached it, however, he paused for a moment, with a sudden fear coming over him that Laura might by some means put an end to all the plans on which he founded his hopes of liberty.

“Laura,” he said, “Laura—­for heaven’s sake show no repugnance, my dear child.  Remember, your father’s safety depends upon it.”  And turning away, he entered his bedroom just as Wilton opened the opposite door.

Laura gazed upon her lover, as he came in; and asked herself, while she marked that noble and open countenance, “Is it possible he could make any unworthy condition?”

Wilton’s face was grave, and even sad, for he had again applied to Vernon, and received a still less satisfactory reply than before; but he was glad to find Laura alone, for this was the first time that he had obtained any opportunity of seeing her in private, since she had been permitted to join her father in the Tower.  His greeting, then, was as tender and as affectionate as the circumstances in which they stood towards each other might warrant; but he did not forget, even then, that subject which he knew was of the deepest interest to her —­her father’s situation.

“Oh, dearest Laura,” he said, “I have longed to speak with you for a few minutes alone, and yet, now that I have the opportunity, I have nothing but sad subjects to entertain you with.”

His words confirmed Laura’s confidence in his generosity.  She saw clearly that he knew not what had been proposed by the Earl; the very conviction gave her joy, and she replied, looking up playfully and affectionately in his face,—­