Indeed, when he related the little subterfuge of Gabriel, his attempt to save her by taking the letter on himself, she felt thankful to the boy, and deemed Gabriel's conduct quite in keeping with his attachment to herself.

And this accounted satisfactorily for the only circumstance that had ever troubled her with a doubt,--namely, the legacy left to Gabriel.

She knew enough of Sir Miles to be aware that he would be grateful to any one who had saved the name of his niece, even while most embittered against her, from the shame attached to clandestine correspondence.
"It is strange, nevertheless," said she, thoughtfully, after a pause, "that the girl should have detected the letter, concealed as it was by the leaves that covered it." "But," answered Dalibard, readily, "you see two or three persons had entered before, and their feet must have displaced the leaves." "Possibly; the evil is now past recall." "And Mr.Mainwaring?
Do you still adhere to one who has cost you so much, poor child ?" "In three months more I shall be his wife." Dalibard sighed deeply, but offered no remonstrance.
"Well," he said, taking her hand with mingled reverence and affection,--"well, I oppose your inclinations no more, for now there is nothing to risk; you are mistress of your own fortune; and since Mainwaring has talents, that fortune will suffice for a career.

Are you at length convinced that I have conquered my folly; that I was disinterested when I incurred your displeasure?
If so, can you restore to me your friendship?
You will have some struggle with the world, and, with my long experience of men and life, even I, the poor exile, may assist you." And so thought Lucretia; for with some dread of Dalibard's craft, she yet credited his attachment to herself, and she felt profound admiration for an intelligence more consummate and accomplished than any ever yet submitted to her comprehension.

From that time, Dalibard became an habitual visitor at the house; he never interfered with Lucretia's interviews with Mainwaring; he took the union for granted, and conversed with her cheerfully on the prospects before her; he ingratiated himself with the Fieldens, played with the children, made himself at home, and in the evenings when Mainwaring, as often as he could find the excuse, absented himself from the family circle, he contrived to draw Lucretia into more social intercourse with her homely companions than she had before condescended to admit.