own: our old home is sold, our fortunes have gone utterly,
and our honourable name is tarnished. At the present moment I have
nothing left in the world except the sum of two hundred pounds which
I had saved for a purpose of my own out of my allowance. I have no
profession and cannot even take my degree, because I am unable to afford
the expense of remaining at college."

"Black, I must say, very black," murmured Mr. Beach, rubbing his chin.
"But under these circumstances what can I do to help you? You must trust
in Providence, my boy; it never fails the deserving."

"This," answered Leonard, nervously; "you can show your confidence in
me by allowing my engagement to Jane to be proclaimed." Here Mr. Beach
waved his hand once more as though to repel some invisible force.

"One moment," continued Leonard. "I know that it seems a great deal to
ask, but listen. Although everything looks so dark, I have reliance on
myself. With the stimulus which my affection for your daughter will give
me, and knowing that in order to win her I must first put myself in a
position to support her as she should be supported, I am quite convinced
that I shall be able to surmount all difficulties by my own efforts."

"Really, I cannot listen to such nonsense any longer," broke in Mr.
Beach angrily. "Leonard, this is nothing less than an impertinence. Of
course any understanding that may have existed between you and Jane is
quite at an end. Engagement! I heard of no engagement. I knew that there
was some boy and girl folly between you indeed, but for my part I never
gave the matter another thought."

"You seem to forget, sir," said Leonard, keeping his temper with
difficulty, "that not six months ago you and I had a long conversation
on this very subject, and decided that nothing should be said to my
father of the matter until I had taken my degree."

"I repeat that it is an impertinence," answered Mr. Beach, but with a
careful avoidance of the direct issue. "What! You, who have nothing in
the world except a name which you father has--well--tarnished--to
use your own word, you ask me for my dear daughter's hand? You are so
selfish that you wish not only to ruin her chances in life, but also to
drag her into the depths of your poverty. Leonard, I should never have
thought it of you!"

Then at last Leonard broke out.

"You do not speak the truth. I did not ask you for your daughter's hand.
I asked you for the promise of it when I should hav