"It is not right," said the unhappy young man, "that you should share my fatigue and troubles. Go and have a good night's rest." "I distinctly decline," replied Leonard, in an affectionate tone. "Your troubles are my troubles, and I feel them almost as deeply as yourself. My name is Thorough." "There is no other man like you, I believe," said Gerald. "I will try and repay you one day." "You shall repay me one day," thought Leonard, "and whatever I get will be richly earned." Aloud, he said, "The only repayment I ask, my dear boy, is to see you happy with your Emilia. There, let us say no more about it. If you want me in the night you have only to call me, you will find me ready for anything." Gerald woke a dozen times before daylight, and moved gently about so that he should not disturb his noble friend. He stole down to the night porter. "No one has come for me?" "No one, sir." "If anyone calls send him to me instantly." "Yes, sir." It was a fortunate night for the porter, the tips he received from the distracted young man making a very handsome total. Gerald was grateful when morning broke. It would not be long before Emilia was in his arms. He made an effort to repair the disorder in his clothes and appearance, and long before the door of the lawyers' office was open one of his messengers was waiting for tidings. Still the same answer, always the same answer; no traces of Emilia had been found. He paced the room with the restlessness of a wild animal. Once he stopped, and leaning heavily on Leonard's shoulder, whispered, "If she should be dead! Good God, if she should be dead!" "So much the better for everybody," thought Leonard, as he passed his arm round Gerald's waist and endeavored to soothe him. At noon the lawyer paid Gerald a visit. "You have brought me news?" cried Gerald. "None of a satisfactory nature," replied the lawyer. "We have ascertained for certain that the young lady is not in the town." "But when she left the house in which she was sheltered," said Leonard, for Gerald was too overpowered to speak, "someone must have seen her." "If so," said the lawyer, "we have not discovered the person, who has a good reason for coming forward, as we have offered handsome rewards for definite information of any kind concerning her. However, we have now taken other steps, and it is for the purpose of making Mr. Paget acquainted with them that I have paid this visit." He paused, and Gerald motioned to him to continue. "Being convinced that Miss Braham has left the town, we have despatched agents in every direction to track her down. These agents understand that they are to pursue their mission in the most delicate manner, and they are instructed to keep in regular telegraphic communication with us. My errand here is to communicate these proceedings to you, and to advise patience and"--with a significant look at Gerald--"peace of mind." "I shall not know peace," said Gerald, "till she is found."