tional cause of
displeasure, Miss Trevannion," said I, as I entered, "for you have
appeared to avoid me since my return."

"Indeed, Mr. Musgrave, I have not," replied she; "I was most anxious
to see you, and have thought it very unpolite, I may add, unkind, on
your part not to have come to me."

"I have been in the house every day, and sometimes twice a-day, with
your father, Miss Trevannion, and have never met you. Once I inquired
for you, and your father told me you were unwell, whereas Humphrey had
but five minutes before told me that you were well and in good
spirits."

"Humphrey told the truth, and so did my father. I was in good health
and spirits, and in five minutes afterwards I was ill and unhappy."

"I trust I was no party to it, Miss Trevannion."

"You were a party to it, but not the great offender, who was my
father. He had told me that upon your return he had installed you as
his partner, and had done you the justice you had deserved; and then
he told me that you were going out to the coast of Africa in the
Sparrow-Hawk."

"It is very true, Miss Trevannion; but where is the offence?"

"The offence is this: my father no sooner does you justice than he
wants more ivory and gold-dust, having more than enough already; but I
told him it was as bad as privateering, for in either case he sends
people out to sacrifice their lives, that he may gain more money. I
have no patience with this foolish pursuit of wealth."

"After all your father's kindness to me, Miss Trevannion, I could do
no less than accept the offer."

"You would have been more wise and more just to yourself to have
refused it, Mr. Musgrave. I read the letters to my father when they
arrived, and you know what Captain Irving says about the unhealthiness
of the climate. You have been my father's best friend, and he should
not have treated you thus."

"I never did value life, Miss Trevannion; but really the kind interest
you have expressed on this occasion makes me feel as if my poor life
was of some value. To one who has been such a football of fortune as I
have been, and who has hardly, known a kind feeling towards him ever
expressed, it is a gratification that I really appreciate, and coming
from one whom I respect and esteem more than any other person in the
world, it quite overpowers me. Indeed, Miss Trevannion, I am truly
grateful."

I was correct when I said that it overpowered me, for it did
completely, and I was so oppressed by my