“You have divined the truth, Arthur!” cried Mr. Hatfield, his heart wrung to its very core by all the maddening fears and torturing reflections which were thus suddenly excited within him. “Oh! what dreadful embarrassments--what frightful complications, will this misapprehension entail on my unhappy son--on you--on me--on all who are connected with us!” “There is not a moment to lose!” exclaimed Lord Ellingham. “We must hasten after this infatuated young man----” At that moment the door opened; and Clarence Villiers entered the library,--the Earl having requested him on the previous day to visit him at the hour when, true to the appointment, he thus made his appearance. Villiers, perceiving at the first glance, that something unusual was agitating Lord Ellingham and Mr. Hatfield, was about to retire, when the Earl, beckoning him to advance, turned hastily round to his half-brother, and said in a hurried whisper, “We will entrust this matter to Villiers: he will conduct it with less excitement than you and I; and, as he knows your secret----” “Yes:--but all he _does_ know is that the Mr. Hatfield of to-day is identical with the Thomas Rainford of former times,” interrupted the Earl’s half-brother, also speaking in a low and hasty tone: “remember--he is unacquainted with aught of our family secrets--ignorant of the parentage of Charles----” “Neither is it necessary that he should be made acquainted with all these facts,” interrupted Arthur:--“but leave the matter to me.” Then, turning towards Clarence, he said, “My dear Mr. Villiers, you come most opportunely to render us an important service. We have every reason to believe that Charles has formed an improper connexion with a young female of great beauty, residing with her mother in very handsome lodgings in Suffolk Street: we likewise conclude that he is there at this present moment. Hasten thither, my good friend--demand an immediate interview with Charles--and tell him that certain discoveries have been made at home, in which he is deeply interested. In a word, compel him to accompany you away from the designing women who have doubtless entangled him in their meshes----” “Nay: let us not judge hastily,” cried Mr. Hatfield: “remember--I have heard nothing against the characters of these ladies; and it may be a virtuous and honest affection, after all, that renders Charles a visitor at their house. Let Mr. Villiers, then, act with circumspection--and behave with the strictest courtesy towards these ladies, should he encounter them.” “Yes--but under any circumstances you must persuade Charles to return with you immediately to this house,” said the Earl. “Mr. Hatfield will acquaint you with the precise address of the lodgings in Suffolk Street----”