“Miss Chichester, why do you weep?” he asked, gently. She started violently at the sound of his voice, and then looked up at him. The instant their eyes met both colored deeply, and the young girl drooped her gaze, as she replied: “Who could help weeping at all this happiness and good that has come so unexpectedly?” “I know strange things have developed themselves here to-night; but,” he added, with a touch of sadness in his voice, “do you remember what you promised me this morning?” “Yes, I do remember.” “I have come to release you from that pledge. You must have seen, ere this, that I am unworthy to perform such a duty, and though I know you have no friends to care for you, yet knowing what you now do of me, I feel I have no right to expect you to trust in me. But I will find some one who will care for you faithfully.” His voice was full of regret and self-depreciation, and the sound of it brought the tears again to the fair girl’s eyes. But she hastily lifted her head, and glanced half-defiantly at him, as if daring him to accuse her of being unmaidenly in what she was about to say, and replied: “I do not desire to be released from my promise.” “Miss Chichester! surely you do not mean it,” he said, eagerly, his whole face lighting brilliantly. “Yes, Mr. Ellerton, I do.” “And can you trust me still, after knowing what you do?” “I can. Do you not remember what I said this morning—that you might do something, impelled by the force of circumstances, that would merit my severest censure, but that even then I should feel there were goodness and truth in you. My words have proved true! There is much of good in you; I feel that you were intended for a noble man, and had the influences around you been pure, you would never have been led into such evil ways. I feel that the words you only a short time since uttered were sincere, and I have no wish to retract anything that I have pledged, least of all my faith in you.” Ralph gazed at her in wondering admiration! “I cannot tell you, Miss Chichester,” he said, “how deeply grateful I am for your confidence in me. Your words move me more than I can express; they give me new courage, they inspire me with a blessed hope.” CHAPTER XXXVII. GONE TO HIS DOOM. Meanwhile Alfred Ellerton had found the Italian brothers, who had retreated into the background when the long-lost wife presented herself; but they now came forward, and stood proudly and coldly before the squire, having first sought and found Vivien, who still remained with Fredrich Weimher, both seeming to find an irresistible charm in each other’s society. They, too, came near, but took their places behind Squire Moulton, where he could not see them until the proper moment should arrive for Vivien to reveal herself. “Well, what now?” snarled the villain, as, on looking up, he beheld, as he supposed, two of the smugglers standing in front of him.