Eveline Mandeville | Page 5

the facts in the case I leave you to
determine which--these confederates placed themselves near a bower to
which your daughter had resorted but a few minutes previously, so that
she, however unwillingly, must have heard a good portion of what
passed between them! Only think of it! She for whom I would sacrifice
all else, beholding me, as she must suppose, under such criminal
aspects!"
This most artfully told tale was not without its effect upon the father.
He believed it: how could he help it when so strongly corroborated by
what his daughter had previously told him? At the conclusion of it, he
demanded, with something of vehemence in his manner:
"Who was the despicable villain that thus dared to plot against the
interest of my family?"
"Ah, there is the difficulty," said Duffel, craftily. "I fear to divulge
names for several reasons. In the first place, I know you cannot but feel
highly indignant, and will desire to punish the criminal as he deserves;
but I have no proof that will stand in law, and--!"
"Will not the testimony of my daughter added to yours be sufficient to
convict the rascal, I'd like to know?"

"You forget that your daughter's testimony would criminate me--that
she must fully believe it was I, and no other, that was in conversation
with the stranger; for I am told that the disguise was perfect, so much
so that it is impossible your daughter should not be deceived."
"I see the difficulty."
"Well, as I was going to say, being unable to substantiate my charges, I
would lay myself liable to prosecution for slander, which must be far
from pleasant, beside giving my adversary a decided advantage over
me. In the next place, my name would be coupled with those of
blacklegs and secret villains, a circumstance far more to be dreaded
than the other. But I have a still higher motive for wishing this affair to
be kept quiet--your daughter's welfare and fair name. Pardon me for
being compelled to speak of her in this connection; it is, I assure you,
sorely afflicting to me; but I shall strive to do my duty, even with the
fear of offending before my eyes. As already shown, your daughter's
evidence, either publicly or privately given, must lay upon me the
weight of crime; in addition to this, I must now undertake the
formidable task of informing you that my enemy, who I have already
told you has an eye to your daughter's hand, is regarded by her with
favor. Do not be startled; I am but telling you the plain truth, which,
unless a stop can be put to the plotting now on foot, you will but too
soon find out to your sorrow. This fellow, who desires to rival me in
the affections of your daughter, has been pouring into her ear tales of
every sort to prejudice her against me--and I fear with but too much
success. Lately, she avoids me whenever it is convenient to do so,
while she often walks out with my--no, he is too contemptible to be
called a rival.
"You now see the state of the case; you see on what a slippery place I
stand, and how much need there is of being wary and cautious where
and how I step. My fair name is in danger of being tarnished; my
prospects for life blighted; my hopes destroyed and myself suspected of
being the associate of villains. And all this has been so artfully
contrived, I find myself in the meshes of the net woven to entrap me,
ere I had become aware of any designs being formed against me, or that

I had enemies who were endeavoring to compass my ruin; and, worse
than all, when these overwhelming truths are made manifest to me, and
my very soul burns to extricate myself from the difficulties that
surround me, and fasten the crime where it belongs, and crush the
miscreant with his own guilt, I am tied. So encircled am I, that every
attempt I might make to escape the toils of the cowardly foe who has
laid his plans so deep and darkly, will only add to the horrors of my
situation. Pardon me, then, for withholding the name of him who is
striving to rum me; but oh, if possible, save your daughter from his
grasp!"
"How can I without knowing his name? Eveline has much company
and many admirers; but of all the number, I can fix upon no one to
suspect."
"There it is again! My God! what am I to do?"--and with these words,
Duffel paced up and down in the greatest apparent distress.
"You surely can trust me with his name?" suggested Mr. Mandeville.
"True, I can trust you with anything,