The  whole  matter  appeared  stagnant  for  about  ten
days ;  and  then  a  delicate  hand  stirred  the  dead  waters
cautiously.  Mr.  Oldfield,  of  all  people  in  the  world,
received  a  short  letter  from  Bella  Brace.
KoHiosBEso  Hotel,  Basen.
Miss  Brace  presents  her  compliments  to  Mr.  Oldfield,  and
will  feel  much  obliged  if  he  wiU  send  her  the  name  and  ad-
dress of  the  brave  lady  who  accompanied  him  to  her  father's
house.
Miss  Bruce  desires  to  thank  that  lady  personally  for  her
noble  defence  of  one  with  whom  it  would  be  improper  for  her
to  communicate ;  but  she  can  never  be  indiflFerent  to  his  welfare,
nor  hear  of  his  sufferings  without  deep  sorrow.
"Confound  it ! "  said  Solomon  Oldfield,  "what  am  I  to
do?  I  mustn't  tell  her  it  is  Miss  Somerset."  So  the
wary  lawyer  had  a  copy  of  the  letter  made,  and  sent  to
Miss  Somerset  for  instructions.
74  A  TEERIBLE  TEirPTATION.
