"Oh, sir, my father is not so mercenary--such an idea never entered his head. But the Squire himself has indeed said, 'Why, if any thing happened to Frank, you would be next heir to my lands, and therefore we ought to know each other.' But--" "Enough," interrupted Egerton, "I am the last man to pretend to the right of standing between you and a single chance of fortune, or of aid to it. And whom did you meet at Hazeldean?" "There was no one there, sir; not even Frank." "Hum. Is the Squire not on good terms with his parson? Any quarrel about tithes?" "Oh, no quarrel. I forgot Mr. Dale; I saw him pretty often. He admires and praises you very much, sir." "Me--and why? What did he say of me?" "That your heart was as sound as your head; that he had once seen you about some old parishioners of his; and that he had been much impressed with a depth of feeling he could not have anticipated in a man of the world, and a statesman." "Oh, that was all; some affair when I was member for Lansmere?" "I suppose so." Here the conversation was broken off; but the next time Randal was led to visit the Squire he had formally asked Egerton's consent, who, after a moment's hesitation, had as formally replied, "I have no objection." On returning from this visit, Randal mentioned that he had seen Riccabocca; and Egerton, a little startled at first, said composedly, "Doubtless one of the political refugees; take care not to set Madame di Negra on his track. Remember, she is suspected of being a spy of the Austrian government." "Rely on me, sir," said Randal; "but I should think this poor Doctor can scarcely be the person she seeks to discover?" "That is no affair of ours," answered Egerton; "we are English gentlemen, and make not a step toward the secrets of another." Now, when Randal revolved this rather ambiguous answer, and recalled the uneasiness with which Egerton had first heard of his visit to Hazeldean, he thought that he was indeed near the secret which Egerton desired to conceal from him and from all--viz., the incognito of the Italian whom Lord L'Estrange had taken under his protection.