CHAPTER XVI.
SIR CHARLES BASSETT was in high spirits this afternoon--indeed, a little too high.
"Bella, my love," said he, "now I'll tell you why I made you give me your signature this morning.

The money has all come in for the wood, and this very day I sent Oldfield instructions to open an account for you with a London banker." Lady Bassett looked at him with tears of tenderness in her eyes.
"Dearest," said she, "I have plenty of money; but the love to which I owe this present, that is my treasure of treasures.

Well, I accept it, Charles; but don't ask me to spend it on myself; I should feel I was robbing you." "It is nothing to me how you spend it; I have saved it from the enemy." Now that very enemy heard these words.

He had looked from the "Heir's Tower," and seen Sir Charles and Lady Bassett walking on their side the wall, and the nurse carrying his heir on the other side.
He had come down to look at his child in the sun; but he walked softly, on the chance of overhearing Sir Charles and Lady Bassett say something or other about his health; his design went no further than that, but the fate of listeners is proverbial.
Lady Bassett endeavored to divert her husband from the topic he seemed to be approaching; it always excited him now, and did him harm.
"Do not waste your thoughts on that enemy.

He is powerless." "At this moment, perhaps; but his turn is sure to come again; and I shall provide for it.