"His career now may be wholly changed, and he may never embark in trade," said Constance. "But if he were to do so I cannot see that he would be degraded, any more than he is degraded by having been an apprentice." "Cadets of our best Lancashire and Cheshire families are constantly apprenticed, so there is nothing in that," remarked Jemmy. "I repeat my conviction that Atherton is a gentleman born. Dr. Byrom is of the same opinion." "Dr. Byrom may be influenced by partiality. I fancy he would like the young man as a son-in-law," said Monica. "Beppy Byrom certainly would not object to the arrangement," she added, with a significant smile that conveyed a good deal. "Is Beppy Byrom pretty?" asked Constance. "Decidedly so--one of the prettiest girls in Manchester," rejoined Monica. "And is Mr. Atherton Legh insensible to her attractions?" inquired Constance, as carelessly as she could. "That I can't pretend to say," returned her cousin. "But I should scarcely think he can be so." "At all events, he pays her very little attention," remarked Jemmy. Constance cast down her magnificent eyes, and her countenance assumed a thoughtful expression that seemed to heighten its beauty. While she remained thus preoccupied, Monica and her lover moved towards the window and looked out, or appeared to be looking out, for it is highly probable they only saw each other. Presently Constance arose, and saying she desired to be alone for a few minutes, left them together. Proceeding to her own chamber, she sat down and began to review as calmly as she could the strange and hurried events of the morning, in which Atherton Legh had played a conspicuous part, and though the rest of the picture presented to her mental gaze appeared somewhat confused, his image rose distinctly before her. The young man's singular story, as related by Jemmy Dawson, had greatly stimulated her curiosity, and she indulged in many idle fancies respecting him--such as will flash through a young girl's brain--sometimes endeavouring to account for the mystery of his birth in one way, sometimes in another, but always feeling sure he was well-born. "If any one ever proclaimed himself a gentleman by look and manner, it is Atherton Legh," she thought. "And as to his courage it is indisputable. But I have been thinking only of this young man all the time," she reflected, with a feeling of self-reproach, "when I ought to have been thinking of papa. I ought to have locked up the packet of important papers that he confided to me before his arrest. I will repair my neglect at once." With this resolve she arose, and taking out the packet was about to place it in her writing-case, when a letter fell to the ground. The letter was partly open, and a name caught her eye that made her start.