so. Don’t be foolhardy enough to put any one on the scent of them.”
“Don’t be troubled about that. I have sacrificed too much in gaining the wealth desired ever to hold it with a careless or relaxing grasp. And yet its mere possession brings not the repose of mind, the sense of independence, that were so pleasingly foreshadowed. Something is yet lacking to make the fruition complete. I want a companion; and there is only one, in the wide world, who can be to me what I desire.”
“Fanny Markland?”
“Yes.”
“You wish to make her your wife?”
“She is too pure to be happy in any other relation. Yes; I wish to gain her for my bride.”
“A thing more difficult than you imagine.”
“The task may be difficult; but, I will not believe, impossible.”
“And it is in this matter you desire my service?”
“Yes.”
“I am ready. Point the way, and I will go. Digest the plan, and I am the one to carry it out.”
“You must go North.”
“Very well.”
“Do you know how her father is situated at present?”
“He is a poor clerk in a jobbing-house.”
“Indeed! They stripped him of every thing?”
“Yes. Woodbine Lodge vanished from beneath his feet as if it had been an enchanted island.”
“Poor man! I am sorry for him. I never contemplated so sweeping a disaster in his case. But no one can tell, when the ball leaves his hand, what sort of a strike will be made. How does he bear it, I wonder?”
“Don’t know. It must have been a terrible fall for him.”
“And Fanny? Have you learned nothing in regard to her?”
“Nothing.”
“Did you keep up a correspondence with the family whose acquaintance you made in—?”
“The family of Mr. Ellis? No; not any regular correspondence. We passed a letter or two, when I made a few inquiries about the Marklands, and particularly mentioned Fanny; but heard no further from them.”
“There are no landmarks, then?” said Lyon.
“None.”
“You must start immediately for the North. I will remain here until word comes from you. Ascertain, first, if you can, if there is any one connected with the Company who is yet on the alert in regard to myself; and write to me all the facts you learn on this head immediately. If it is not safe to remain in the United States, I will return to the city of Mexico, and we can correspond from there. Lose no time in gaining access to Miss Markland, and learn her state of mind in regard to me. She cannot fail to have taken her father’s misfortunes deeply to heart; and your strongest appeal to her may be on his behalf. It is in my power to restore him to his former position, and, for the sake of his daughter, if needful, that will be done.”
“I comprehend you; and trust me to accomplish all you desire, if in human power. Yet I cannot help expressing surprise at the singular fascination this girl has wrought upon you. I saw her two or three times, but perceived nothing very remarkable about her. She is pretty enough; yet, in any company of twenty women, you may pick out three far handsomer. What is the peculiar charm she carries about her?”
“It is nameless, but all-potent, and can only be explained psychologically, I suppose. No matter, however. The girl is necessary to my happiness, and I must secure her.”
“By fair means, or foul?” His companion spoke inquiringly.
“I never hesitate about the means to be employed when I attempt the accomplishment of an object,” was replied. “If she cannot be prevailed upon to come to me willingly, stratagem—even force—must be used. I know that she loves me; for a woman who once loves, loves always. Circumstances may have cooled, even hardened, the surface of her feelings, but her heart beneath is warm toward me still. There may be many reasons why she would not voluntarily leave her home for the one I promised her, however magnificent; but, if removed without her own consent, after the change, she may find in my love the highest felicity her heart could desire.”
“My faith is not strong,” said Leach, “and never has been, in the stability of love. But you have always manifested a weakness in this direction; and, I suppose, it runs in the blood. Probably, if you carry the girl off, (not so easy a thing, by-the-way, nor a safe operation to attempt,) you can make all smooth with her by doing something handsome for her father.”
“No doubt of it. I could restore Woodbine Lodge to his possession, and settle two or three thousand a year on him beside.”
“Such arguments might work wonders,” said the accomplice.
A plan of operations was settled during the day, and early on the next morning the friend of Mr. Lyon started northward.
CHAPTER XLI.
THE first letter received by Mr. Lyon, gave only a vague account of affairs.
“I arrived yesterday,” wrote Leach, “and entered upon my work immediately. The acquaintance with Mr. Ellis has been renewed. Last evening I spent with the family, and learned that the Marklands were living in a pleasant little cottage within sight of Woodbine Lodge; but could glean few particulars in regard to them. Fanny has entirely secluded herself. No one seemed to know any thing of her state of mind, though something about a disappointment in love was distantly intimated.”
