lt too much.

"And does the girl like you? But I think it is clear she does!"
exclaimed Roland. "Fate, fate; it has been a fatal family to us! Zounds!
Austin, it was your fault. Why did you let him go there?"

"My son is now a man,--at least in heart, if not in years can man
be shut from danger and trial? They found me in the old parsonage,
brother!" said my father, mildly.

My uncle walked, or rather stumped, three times up and down the room;
and he then stopped short, folded his arms, and came to a decision,--

"If the girl likes you, your duty is doubly clear: you can't take
advantage of it. You have done right to leave the house, for the
temptation might be too strong."

"But what excuse shall I make to Mr. Trevanion?" said I, feebly; "what
story can I invent? So careless as he is while he trusts, so penetrating
if he once suspects, he will see through all my subterfuges, and--and--"

"It is as plain as a pikestaff," said my uncle, abruptly, "and there
need be no subterfuge in the matter. 'I must leave you, Mr. Trevanion.'
'Why?' says he. 'Don't ask me.' He insists. 'Well then, sir, if you must
know, I love your daughter. I have nothing, she is a great heiress. You
will not approve of that love, and therefore I leave you!' That is the
course that becomes an English gentleman. Eh, Austin?"

"You are never wrong when your instincts speak, Roland," said my father.
"Can you say this, Pisistratus, or shall I say it for you?"

"Let him say it himself," said Roland, "and let him judge himself of the
answer. He is young, he is clever, he may make a figure in the world.
Trevanion may answer, 'Win the lady after you have won the laurel, like
the knights of old.' At all events you will hear the worst."

"I will go," said I, firmly; and I took my hat and left the room. As I
was passing the landing-place, a light step stole down the upper flight
of stairs, and a little hand seized my own. I turned quickly, and met
the full, dark, seriously sweet eyes of my cousin Blanche.

"Don't go away yet, Sisty," said she, coaxingly. "I have been waiting
for you, for I heard your voice, and did not like to come in and disturb
you."

"And why did you wait for me, my little Blanche?"

"Why! only to see you. But your eyes are red. Oh, cousin!" and before I
was aware of her childish impulse, she had sprung to my neck and kissed
me. Now Blanche was not like most children, and was very sparing of
her caresses. So it was out of the dee