"Tut, tut! I thought we were old friends." "Answer me. Is Miss Malherb here?" "Here, yet not here," replied Peter, pressing his breast. "'Smiling then Love took his dart And drew her picture on my heart.' But I can relieve your mind. The maiden is well and exceedingly happy." "Then was John Lee right; you abducted her." "Ah! that agile lad! Mercury's a fool to him." Stark took off his hat and entered the house. "I am here to escort Miss Malherb to her parents, Mr. Norcot." "And a pleasant enough task too--for both of you. Now enter and rest your weary limbs--nay; don't look suspicious. There's no mystery here--merely the library of a very busy man." Stark sat down and rubbed a wounded foot, while Mr. Norcot regarded him with a very whimsical expression. "So you are a new Quixote, come to rescue distressed maidens? Yet, if you could see the joy on Grace Malherb's countenance at this moment, you might suspect that your disinterested labour was in vain, Mr. Stark." "Only her own assurances will satisfy me. As for you, in the past I owe you much, Mr. Norcot. With a single-hearted generosity that I cannot sufficiently admire and I cannot quite understand, you exerted yourself on behalf of strangers and captives. But now----' "Now, perhaps, I am doing the same thing again, Mr. Stark. Would it surprise you to hear that within this month I have been to London on your behalf?" "Why should you do so?" "Ah!--my modesty refuses to reply. But believe the fact: for you and Grace Malherb I have been as industrious as a man can be. She knows and blesses me. You have yet to know." "Is this true, sir?" "Why not? And yet against one of your credulous character a lie would be a good weapon." "Yes, for a slave to use," said Stark. "It's a nice point. I'm a casuist, you know. I could mention a few classical lies that have helped to make the world what it is to-day-- "'Why should not conscience have vacation As well as other courts o' the nation?'" "You jest to ask such a question, or you mistake me, Mr. Norcot." "'Tis easy to understand how willingly men would give their monitor a life-long holiday if they could. Yet, 'He that sins against his conscience sins with a witness.' Fuller. That inimitable man! I wish my young clerical cousin had something of his sublime sense and understanding. But Relton's a good lad, and no bishop can marry you tighter." "Be frank, Mr. Norcot," said Stark. "Here am I, and I trust you. I accept your word that Miss Malherb is also here, and that she is well. But I am determined to take her back to her father and mother, because I learn that they are ignorant of her safety, and are suffering much, as it is natural they should suffer." Peter beamed upon his visitor.