CHAPTER X.

"Albeit thus masked, Madam, I love the truth."

TENNYSON.

HAT in the world can be going on?" said Mrs. Crawford, as the carriage stopped, "the whole house are sitting up, I do believe."

The door was no sooner opened, than Nelson appeared, with a look of anxious concern: the hall was full of servants, and a buzz of voices made its

way out into the frosty air. The party alighted, and Nelson seized his mother's arm. "Come in here, mother! I thought you never would come home. Come in, Miss Armadale,-for heaven's sake come in!"

They did so, in much astonishment at this reception; and found candles lighted in the dining-room, where Uncle Sym and his nieces were waiting. Theodosia advanced to meet them with a flushed cheek and a sparkling eye.

"What is the matter?" burst from every lip. She shook her head with ominous gravity. "Is it Esther? is she ill?" cried Miss Martin.

"She is not ill, Miss Armadale," said Theodosia, "but what I have to tell, concerns both her and yourself.

Miss Martin started, and turned so pale, that Mrs. Crawford entreated her daughter to say quickly all she had to say.

"If you will all sit down," said Theodosia, gravely, "I will send for the young lady, and tell you in her presence. It is a case in which Papa must decide."

Mr. Crawford, who was half asleep, rubbed his eyes, and put on his spectacles. Miss Martin, trembling with nervousness, sat down, with Ferdinand leaning on the back of her chair. Everybody looked excited and curious.

"Shipton !" said Theodosia, " fetch Miss Esther." "Thank you," said Nelson, "I am going to do that; give me the key, Mrs. Shipton. It will be trying enough for the young lady to face so many people, without being dragged in by the servants, like a criminal." And, without waiting for any remonstrance, he hastened to carry out his purpose.

"Whatever she may have done," thought he, as he turned the key in the lock, "I cannot see the good of bolting her into this pigeon-hole: but that's just the spiteful way women serve each other. I only hope she wont be crying;-if she is, what on earth am I to do? I would rather face a mad bull any day, than a pretty girl in tears." He opened the door very softly, and peeped in. Miss Armadale, who was by

this time subdued with fatigue, had returned to her seat, and laid her head on the table, with her hands clasped in her lap, resignedly waiting till her persecutors should please to send for her. The various emotions of the long tedious night had left her languid and weary; and when, at the sound of Nelson's entrance, she slowly raised her head, his compassion was deeply moved by the sight of her pale cheeks and drooping eyelashes; drooping, as he supposed, with shame and humiliation. He looked at her for a moment with respectful sympathy, and the tears glistened in his

eyes.

"Miss Esther," he said, hesitating, which for Nelson was most extraordinary," they are waiting for you, and—and I hoped you would allow me to take you in,—I thought you might feel a little nervousExcuse my taking such a liberty, but indeed" His voice was literally choked.

Margaret rose from her seat; but when he held out his hand, she drew back her own. "I feel your kindness, Mr. Nelson, most deeply," she said, with a quiet smile; " but I dare not allow you to shake hands with me. Are they making out my committal ?"

if

"Miss Esther! you shall have justice done you, justice is to be found in the kingdom," said Nelson. "I know you can explain what you were doing; and that, however much appearances are against you, your integrity will make itself clear to all !"

Miss Armadale shook her head gravely.

"Do not

make rash assertions, Mr. Nelson: facts are stubborn things, and I am not going to deny them."

"Is it all true then?" said Nelson, sorrowfully, "oh do not say so, Miss Esther!"

Margaret cast down her eyes. He looked at her in distress and perplexity, then offered his arm, which she accepted. As they quitted the room, he asked what she meant to say to his father and Miss Armadale.

"The truth," said Margaret, gently," it has been kept back too long."

"Oh, Miss Esther!" said Nelson, stopping suddenly short, "if you wanted money, people will get into difficulties sometimes-I do myself, but if you really wanted money, why did you not tell some of us? we would all have helped you, indeed we would; anything would have been better than this! But I am only distressing instead of helping you don't be frightened, pray don't speak the truth boldly-I will stand by you, and take care you have fair play: only keep up a good heart."

"Thank you," said Margaret, "you may rely upon it, I will."

The hall was filled with servants, among whom were Nisbett and Antoine; the former with red eyes, nose, and cheeks, boiling with indignation; the latter, in a state of irrepressible glee, for in every stroke aimed at his mistress, he saw an acceleration of the denouement he panted for. When the dining

room door was opened, the general excitement overcame conventional forms, and one and all made their way in. All eyes turned on Margaret, who as she passed through the door, seemed to leave behind her every sensation of languor and depression. She withdrew her hand from Nelson's arm, and advanced towards the table, her stately figure erect, and her downcast eyes gleaming with light. Mr. Crawford, seated in his chair of judgment at the head of the table, looked at her over his spectacles, and hemmed two or three times. "I am grieved, young lady," he began," to have so unpleasant a duty to perform, but I understand you appealed to me, and I need not say you shall have the fairest treatment, and every indulgence we can allow you."

Margaret bowed, and stole one look at Miss Martin under her eyelashes, to prepare that lady for what was to follow.

Theodosia now stated her case, and related what our readers already know, her previous suspicions, the steps she had deemed it right for all their sakes to take, and the manner in which she had convicted her in the act; adding a few remarks on the terror Margaret exhibited on her arrest. At this Miss Armadale looked at her, and again with that cold dark smile that had perplexed her before. She turned to her associates, and Shipton and Katy bore witness, each in her own peculiar style, and a groan ran through the audiMrs. Crawford looked at Miss Martin with

ence.