"Then by no means tell them, my dear madam," replied Manners: "I am no advocate for concealments or pious frauds of any kind; and where the strength of the individual is able to bear them up, we should always speak the truth: but of course we must regulate our conduct by our knowledge of the person; and both from what I have seen to-day, and what you yourself say, I would strongly advise you--if you will excuse my doing so--to tell Miss De Vaux, merely, that I have not succeeded in my first search for my poor friend, and that I am still following the same object in a different direction." "I believe I must do even as you say," replied Mrs. Falkland, "and suffer Marian's mind to come to the sad conclusion, to which we have already come, by degrees. Though the suspense may be harrowing, yet it will not have so bad an effect on her as the sudden confirmation of her worst fears. Allow me, too, to hint, Colonel Manners, that you will find my brother less capable of bearing such tidings than you may imagine, from what you have seen of his demeanour. His love for his son was as ardent as his other passions." "Do not be afraid, my dear madam," replied Manners, taking her hand; "I will do nothing roughly, believe me." "I do, indeed," answered Mrs. Falkland--"I do, indeed, believe that it is not in the nature of Colonel Manners to act unkindly to anyone. At what time shall I order the carriage?" "Oh, not at all--not at all," he answered; "I will ride: it is always my custom; and as soon as I have written this letter, and my servant has returned, I will set out. Let me detain you no longer, and God grant that our fears may have magnified the proofs in their own support." END OF VOL. I. THE GIPSY; A TALE. BY THE AUTHOR OF "RICHELIEU," "MARY OF BURGUNDY," &c. "Ah! what a tangled web we weave, When first we venture to deceive." Sir Walter Scott. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. NEW YORK HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE. 1855. THE GIPSY CHAPTER I.