Arthur Lovell looked at her with a mournful smile; a tender smile that was exquisitely beautiful, for it was the look of a man who is prepared to resign his own happiness for the sake of her he loves. "Enough, Laura," he said, quietly; "I have received my sentence. You do not love me, dearest; you have yet to suffer life's great fever." She clasped her hands, and looked at him beseechingly. "You are not angry with me, Arthur?" she said. "Angry with you, my sweet one!" "And you will still love me?" "Yes, Laura, with all a brother's devotion. And if ever you have need of my services, you shall find what it is to have a faithful friend, who holds his life at small value beside your happiness." He said no more, for there was the sound of carriage-wheels below the window, and then a loud double-knock at the hall-door. Laura started to her feet, and her bright face grew pale. "My father has come!" she exclaimed. But it was not her father. It was Mr. Balderby, who had just come from St. Gundolph Lane, where he had received Henry Dunbar's telegraphic despatch. Every vestige of colour faded out of Laura's face as she recognized the junior partner of the banking-house. "Something has happened to my father!" she cried. "No, no, Miss Dunbar!" exclaimed Mr. Balderby, anxious to reassure her. "Your father has arrived in England safely, and is well, as I believe. He is staying at Winchester; and he has telegraphed to me to go to him there immediately." "Something has happened, then?" "Yes, but not to Mr. Dunbar individually; so far as I can make out by the telegraphic message. I was to come to you here, Miss Dunbar, to tell you not to expect your papa for some few days; and then I am to go on to Winchester, taking a lawyer with me." "A lawyer!" exclaimed Laura. "Yes, I am going to Lincoln's Inn immediately to Messrs. Walford and Walford, our own solicitors." "Let Mr. Lovell go with you," cried Miss Dunbar; "he always acted as poor grandpapa's solicitor. Let him go with you." "Yes, Mr. Balderby," exclaimed the young man, "I beg you to allow me to accompany you. I shall be very glad to be of service to Mr. Dunbar." Mr. Balderby hesitated for a few moments. "Well, I really don't see why you shouldn't go, if you wish to do so," he said, presently. "Mr. Dunbar says he wants a lawyer; he doesn't name any particular lawyer. We shall save time by your going; for we shall be able to catch the eleven o'clock express." He looked at his watch. "There's not a moment to lose. Good morning, Miss Dunbar. We'll take care of your papa, and bring him to you in triumph. Come, Lovell." Arthur Lovell shook hands with Laura, murmured a few words in her ear, and hurried away with Mr. Balderby. She had spoken the death-knell of his dearest hopes. He had seen his sentence in her innocent face; but he loved her still.