"
"That of Richard Middlemas?" said Hartley with a faltering voice.
"I ought not, perhaps, to answer the question," said Menie; "but I am a
bad dissembler, and those whom I trust, I trust entirely. You have
guessed right, Mr. Hartley," she added,--colouring a good deal, "I have
come hither to unite my fate to that of your old comrade."
"It is, then, just as I feared!" exclaimed Hartley.
"And why should Mr. Hartley fear?" said Menie Gray. "I used to think you
too generous--surely the quarrel which occurred long since ought not to
perpetuate suspicion and resentment."
"At least, if the feeling of resentment remained in my own bosom, it
would be the last I should intrude upon you, Miss Gray," answered
Hartley. "But it is for you, and for you alone, that I am watchful.--This
person--this gentleman whom you mean to intrust with your happiness--do
you know where he is--and in what service?"
"I know both, more distinctly perhaps than Mr. Hartley can do. Mr.
Middlemas has erred greatly, and has been severely punished. But it was
not in the time of his exile and sorrow, that she who has plighted her
faith to him should, with the flattering world, turn her back upon him.
Besides, you have, doubtless, not heard of his hopes of being restored
to his country and his rank?"
"I have," answered Hartley, thrown off his guard; "but I see not how he
can deserve it, otherwise than by becoming a traitor to his new master,
and thus rendering himself even more unworthy of confidence than I hold
him to be at this moment.
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