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CHAPTER XII.
MILLIcENT vYNER AGAIN VISITS MALCOLM.

CHAPTER XII.
MILL1cENT vYNER AGAIN VISITS MALCOLM.
Some time previous to the death Of Robert
Walters, his cousin had undertaken the ar
rangement of suit connected with small
property Vernon Aubrey had inherited.
This he had now brought to successful
close, and it was agreed that Vernon should
call upon him at his chambers, to receive
certain sums which had been paid into his
hands in connection with the affair.
It was on the evening of the day after
Sir John Lefroye's visit to Norwood that
this call was made. There was little cool
ness between the young men, who had
hitherto always met as friends, for Malcolm
had never been able to divest himself Of the
idea that Aubrey had known all along more
than he had chosen to reveal; and Aubrey
was nettled by the conviction that Malcolm
suspected him.
To relieve their mental embarrassment,
they plunged into business details without
any delay; and were deeply engaged, when
Malcolm's clerk brought him word that
Millicent Vyner wish to see him.
He rose directly in such perturbation that
Vernon Aubrey-looking up as he started
from his chair-perceived it, and rose too.
elf some one is here whom you wish to
admit, pray don't let this business of mine
prevent it," he said. ri have something to
do for Sir John in Fleet Street, which will
attend to, and come back here in an hour. !"
Malcolm was very much obliged to him,
and he said so. He felt sure that Millicent
Vyncr would not come to him unless she
had something important to communicate,
and he had chafed at the thought of letting
her depart with her errand untold.
AS Vernon Aubrey quilted him, Millicent
was shown in. She was looking so pale and
worn, that he remarked it upon her with
regret.
"It is the natural result of much watch
ing, and many sleepless hours" she replied.
with faint smile. "But shall be able
to rest when my task is ended, which it will
be sooner than I anticipated.'
$50 soon Have. you, then, made any
discoveries already, Or do you see the hope
ness of succeeding in your enterprise?" in
quired Malcolm, eagerly.
"I cannot say positively that I have
made any discoveries" she replied; but I
believe that am on the verge of doing so.
What I intended to convey was, that my
task must necessarily be brought to a close
in few days, for Derwent Lodge is about
to lose it's inmates; they mediate going
abroad directly.
"What do you mean by thsy9 sybil and
her father?"
"And Miss Lindsly," Millicent added.
"And as I cannot leave my mother, even it
T would, shall be obliged to throw up my
situation on the eve of their Journey"
els this some sudden resolution on Mr..
Derwent's partP" asked Malcolm, after
cogitating awhile.
AZ believe So" Millicent replied, "for it
took his daughter by surprise. She seems,
however, to be well pleased with his decision"
"You must be laboring under mistake
when you say that Miss Lindsly will be
their companion. Sir John Lefroye, who is
equally her guardian with Mr.. Derwent, will
not permit her to leave England"
"But his authority over her ceases if she
marries, does it not ~
eyes. Major Lindsly was an advocate
for early marriage; and this induced him to
insert clause in his will enabling his
daughter to wed before she comes of age,
providing her choice is sanctioned by one
or other of her guardians.
(Which it will be in this case, for Miss
Lindsly is about to unite herself to Mr..
Derwent," MiAicent observed.
Malcolm was greatly surprised by these
tidings.
care you sure-nre you quito sure that
this is decided, or is it merely a ruInor that
has reached your ears ?"
"My informant is Miss Lindsly herself.
She had a long interview this morning, by
appointment, with Mr.. Derwent in his study.
had no means Of learning what passed be-
tween them, but the young lady came back
to her room, looking as if she had received
some great shock. She has shed no tears,
and scarcely spoken, from which / aug,r
that she is too deeply moved to find con-
ISOLATION in complaining; but she has hidden
me prepare for her very simple bridal
dress, adding that it must be ready by the
day after tomorrow; and Mr.. Dcrwcnt has
come to town and purchased Il license"
"Chn this be marriage Of affection ?"
asked Malcolm gravely.
"No, sir, it is not" answered Millicent;
Miss Lindsly is no happy bride. Her
white, stricken face shocks and appalls me.
And 1 have come to you to entreat you to
interfere and prevent the sacrifice she is
aDOuC 10 udhe,
"I! My dear Miss Vyner, on what plea
could interfere? Sir John Lefroye is the
only person who can do So"
"Miss Lindsly will not be guided by his
advice, for she distrusts its sincerity Milli-
cent replied; but you, the friend of her
father, she would hear with patience, and
respect your counsels.'
I, Malcolm looked very serious, and took
time for consideration ere he replied: 81 am
afraid I can see no grounds for the inter-
ference you advocate. Mr.. Derwent's age is
certainly double his wards, but that is not
an insuperable objection; and if she thinks
proper to ignore it what can be said.'
"Nothing, if this were all. But how if
Miss Lindsly's heart has been given to
another, whom she tries to forget, because
she has been taught to believe him the
murderer of Robert Walters ?"
"You are alluding to Mr. Aubrey. have
always thought an attachment existed be.
tween these young people. Why does not
Aubrey exonerate himself from this foul
stigma?"
ale is not permitted to have the oppor-
tunity of doing so. Whether Mr.. Derwent
does or does not believe him guilty, he evi.
IDENTIFY breads his power over Miss Lindsly's
heart; and I know that the servants have
orders not to aamit him to her presence on
any pretext whatever" ,s.,.s~.r