There's my hand
and my heart with it."
George's eyes were full of tears as he grasped his old captain's strong
hand.
"God bless you," he murmured; "and heaven be praised that I came into
this room to-night! You don't know the weight you've lifted off my
heart; you don't know what I've suffered."
"More fool you," cried Joe Duncombe; "and now say no more. We'll start
for Devonshire together by the first coach that leaves London to-morrow
morning."
* * * * *
CHAPTER XXXIII.
"TREASON HAS DONE HIS WORST."
Black Milsom, otherwise Mr. Maunders, kept a close watch on Raynham
Castle, through the agency of his friend, James Harwood, whose visits
he encouraged by the most liberal treatment, and for whom he was always
ready to brew a steaming jorum of punch.
Mr. Maunders showed a great deal of curiosity concerning the details of
life within the castle, and was particularly fond of leading Harwood to
talk about the excessive care taken of the baby-heiress, and the
precautions observed by Lady Eversleigh's orders. One day, when he had
led the conversation in the accustomed direction, he said:
"One would think they were afraid somebody would try to steal the
child."
"So you would, Mr. Maunders. But you see every situation in life has
its trials, and a child can't be a great heiress for nothing.
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