Gifted, then, with a manner which was in
itself a passport to good society, it was not
surprising that the lawyer made a favourable
impression upon the ladies in Brudenell-terrace.
It suited him to call himself by some name not
his own, and he chose that of Forsyth; so they
knew him as Mr. Forsyth, and that was all.
Resolved, however, to win their confidence, he
spared no pains, and hesitated before no means
whereby to attain his object. He traded
unscrupulously on their love for the husband and
father whom they had lost; and, skilfully
following up his first lead, he made more way in
their regard by professing to have known Edgar
Rivière in the days of his youth, than by lavishing
Saxon's hundreds on the worthless pictures
which had served to open to him the doors of
their home.

And this admirable idea had been wholly
unpremeditated. It came to him like a flash of
inspiration; and as an inspiration he welcomed it,
acted upon it, developed it with the tact of a
master. Careful not to overact the part, he
spoke of the painter as of one whom he would
have desired to know more intimately had he
continued to reside in England, whose character
interested him, and whose early gifts had
awakened his admiration. He evinced an eager
but respectful desire to glean every detail of
his after-career. He bought up the whole
dreary stock of Nymphs and Dryads with
assiduous liberality, carrying away one or more on
the occasion of every visit. Nothing was too
large, too small, or too sketchy for him.

An acquaintance conducted in this fashion
was not difficult of cultivation. The munificent
and courteous patron soon glided into the
sympathetic adviser and friend. Frequent calls,
prolonged conversations, unobtrusive attentions,
produced their inevitable effect; and before
many weeks had gone by, the widow and orphan
believed in William Trefalden as if he were an
oracle. Their gratitude was as unbounded as
their faith. Strange to English life, ignorant of
the world, poor and in trouble, they stood
terribly in need of a friend; and, having found
one, accepted his opinions and followed his
advice implicitly. Thus it came to pass that
the lawyer established himself upon precisely
that footing which was most favourable to his
designs, and became not only the confidant of
all their plans, but the skilful arbiter of all their
actions. Thus, also, it came to pass that at the
very time when Saxon Trefalden believed them
to be already dwelling upon the shores of the
Mediterranean, Mrs. and Miss Rivière were still
in England, and temporarily settled in very
pleasant apartments in the neighbourhood of
Sydenham.

Hither their devoted friend came frequently
to call upon them; and it so happened tnat he
paid them a visit, on the evening of the very day
that Saxon set sail for Sicily.

He went down to Sydenham in an extremely
pleasant frame of mind. Ignorant of their
sudden change of plans, he still believed that
his cousin and the Earl were on their way to
Norway; and it was a belief from which he
derived, considerable satisfaction. It fell in
charmingly with his present arrangements; and
those arrangements were now so carefully
matured, and so thoroughly en train, that it
seemed impossible they should fail of success in
any particular. Perhaps had he known how
the little Albula was even then gliding before
the wind in the direction of the Channel Islands,
instead of tacking painfully about in the straits
of Dover, Mr. Trefalden would scarcely have
arrived at Mrs. Rivière's apartments in so
complacent a mood.

It was delightful to be welcomed as he was
welcomed. It was delightful to see the book
and the embroidery laid aside as he came in—
to meet such looks of confidence and gladness
—to be listened to when he spoke, as if all his
words were wisdom — to sit by the open window,
breathing the perfume of the flowers, listening
to Helen's gentle voice, and dreaming delicious
dreams of days to come. For William Trefalden
was more than ever in love — more than
ever resolved to compass the future that he had
set before him.

"We thought we should see you this evening,
Mr. Forsyth," said Mrs. Rivière, when the
first greetings had been exchanged. "We were
saying so but a few moments before you came
to the gate."

"A Londoner is glad to escape from the
smoke of the town on such a delicious evening,"
replied Mr. Trefalden, "even though it be at
the risk of intruding too often upon his
suburban friends."

"Can the only friend we have in England
come too often?"

"Much as I may wish it to be so, I fear the
case is not quite an impossible one."

"Mamma has been out to-day in a Bath-
chair, Mr. Forsyth," said Helen. " Do you not
think she is looking better?"

"I am quite sure of it," replied the lawyer.

"I feel better," said the invalid. "I feel
that I gain strength daily."

"That is well."

"And Doctor Fisher says that I am improving."

"I attach more value, my dear madam, to
your own testimony on that point, than to the
opinion of any physician, however skilful,"
observed Mr. Trefalden.

"I have great faith in Doctor Fisher," said
Mrs. Rivière.

"And I have great faith in this pure Sydenham
air. I cannot tell you how rejoiced I am
that you consented to remove from Camberwell.''

Mrs. Rivière sighed.

"Do you not think I might soon go back to
Italy?" she asked.

"It is the very subject which I have chiefly
come down this evening to discuss," replied the
lawyer.

The lady's pale face lighted up at this reply.

"I am so anxious to go," she said, eagerly;
I feel as if there were life for me in Italy."