Dr Challen was wrong; for though Lord Maudlaine had followed the young man and his father to the hall, and had gazed at Brace with a look in which bitterness, disappointment, and hatred struggled for mastery, he spoke no word, till suddenly the glass door was opened, and two men entered, one pressing right to the back, the other stepping in front of his lordship. "Our orders were, my lord, to take you as you left the church to-morrow morning," said the latter; "but as it seems there'll be no church-work, why, we do it now, unless, of course, your lordship's prepared with the stiff." With a fierce oath, Lord Maudlaine started back; but the man was as active. "Suit of Lewis Braham, m' lord, as I dare say you know--eight thousand four hundred and forty-five pounds six and eightpence. Does your lordship pay?" "Surely this is not necessary on a night like this!" exclaimed Brace, indignantly; and taking the sheriff's officer by the arm, he swung him away. "Don't resist the law, sir," exclaimed the man, in the well-known words; and the next minute the two officers had hurried their capture to a fly waiting at the door; and the next morning Viscount Maudlaine was on his way to durance vile. Book 2, Chapter XXX. AT LAST. Brace Norton, on his return from the marsh, had been wandering about in a strange, restless fashion; which troubled those who, unknown to himself, had been watching him keenly day after day. For the eyes of father and mother had met, for each to read the other's thoughts, as they recalled a scene which took place in a pine wood directly after a wedding, many years ago. "I don't fear it of him," said Captain Norton, quietly; "but if you wish it--" "How can you read my thought so well?" said Mrs Norton, sadly. "It is indeed my wish. He has now just taken the direction of the marsh again." "I will not leave him again until he seems calm and resigned to his fate," said Captain Norton. "Calm--resigned," said Mrs Norton, mournfully. "Then there is no hope for him, poor boy?" "Hope? Not in that direction, I fear," said the Captain; and he strode after his son. It required no great exertion to overtake the young man; and, ready to suspect danger, Captain Norton viewed with anxious heart the strange, vacant look in his son's face. "Off for another walk, Brace?" he said, cheerfully, as he clapped him on the shoulder. "Yes," said Brace, drearily. "Be a man, Brace," said his father, in a low, earnest voice; and he stood for a few moments clasping his son's hands in his own. "I, too, have suffered, Brace!" "I know it--I know it!" said Brace, in the same sad, listless way, "and I'll try and bear it; but oh! father, my heart feels desolate!" "Come, I'm going to see how the works progress. You'll go with me: to-morrow we'll start early, and go away for a few days."