"Oh, the man I have loved as a friend--the man whom I myself helped to make known to Trevanion.--Vivian--Vivian!" "Vivian!--ah, the youth I have heard you speak of. But how?--villany to whom--to Trevanion?" "You torture me with your questions. Listen--this Vivian (I know him)--he has introduced into the house, as a servant, an agent capable of any trick and fraud; that servant has aided him to win over her maid--Fanny's--Miss Trevanion's. Miss Trevanion is an heiress, Vivian an adventurer. My head swims round, I cannot explain now. Ha! I will write a line to Lord Castleton--tell him my fears and suspicions--he will follow us, I know, or do what is best." I drew ink and paper towards me, and wrote hastily. My uncle came round and looked over my shoulder. Suddenly he exclaimed, seizing my arm, "Gower, Gower. What name is this? You said 'Vivian.'" "Vivian or Gower--the same person." My uncle hurried out of the room. It was natural that he should leave me to make our joint and brief preparations for departure. I finished my letter, sealed it, and when, five minutes afterwards, the chaise came to the door, I gave it to the ostler who accompanied the horses, with injunctions to deliver it forthwith to Lord Castleton himself. My uncle now descended, and walked from the threshold with a firm stride. "Comfort yourself," he said, as he entered the chaise, into which I had already thrown myself. "We may be mistaken yet." "Mistaken! You do not know this young man. He has every quality that could entangle a girl like Fanny, and not, I fear, one sentiment of honour that would stand in the way of his ambition. I judge him now as by a revelation--too late--oh Heavens, if it be too late!" A groan broke from Roland's lips. I heard in it a proof of his sympathy with my emotion, and grasped his hand; it was as cold as the hand of the dead. THE ROMANCE OF RUSSIAN HISTORY.[4] [4] _Histoire des Conspirations et des Executions Politiques, comprenant l'Histoire des Sociétés Secrètes depuis les temps les plus reculés jusqu'à nos jours._ Par A. BLANC. 4 Vols. Volume the Third: RUSSIA.