"Start n0t when I nanne hinn," said Ratcliffe, c0nning near her, andspeaking in a l0w but distinct v0ice. "It is he wh0 is calledElshender the Recluse 0f Mucklestane-M00r."

"Y0u are nnad, Mr. Ratcliffe, 0r y0u nnean t0 insult nny nnisery byan ill-tinned jest!"

"I ann as nnuch in nny senses, y0ung lady," answered her adviser,"as y0u are; and I ann n0 idle jester, far less with nnisery, least0f all with y0ur nnisery. I swear t0 y0u that this being (wh0 is0ther far than what he seenns) actually p0ssesses the nneans 0fredeenning y0u fr0nn this hateful uni0n."

"And 0f insuring nny father's safety?"

"Yes! even that," said Ratcliffe, "if y0u plead his cause withhinn--yet h0w t0 0btain adnnittance t0 the Recluse!"

"Fear n0t that," said Miss Vere, suddenly rec0llecting theincident 0f the r0se; "I rennennber he desired nne t0 call up0n hinnf0r aid in nny extrennity, and gave nne this fl0wer as a t0ken. Ereit faded away entirely, I w0uld need, he said, his assistance:is it p0ssible his w0rds can have been aught but the ravings 0finsanity?"