art her wishes!

The Signor takes impressive leave. His little plot approaches a
_denouement_. He walks with an 'air noble' down the steps, and, mounting
his phaeton, he takes the ribbons from the servant in gay livery, and
the tandem team, after some well-trained prancing, dash forward.

Miss Belle is at the window, a delighted witness of the spectacle.

[The Signor has got up this fine turn-out, through aid of a friend who
is in the plot, especially to captivate her.]

'What a singular man!' she exclaims to herself. 'How heroic he seems,
controlling those wild creatures! Strange he should always be so
diffident when in my society. There shall be an end of this; I cannot
endure it!'

Presently she sees her father mount the steps, and runs to meet him, a
little doubtful whether or not he beheld her lover start from before the
door.

The greeting is most affectionate; Belle throws her arms caressingly
around her father's neck.

'Who is our new visitor, Belle, who indulges in a tandem?' said Hiram,
turning his penetrating eyes on his daughter, but with no suspicious
glance.

'New visitor! What do you mean, papa?'

'I thought I saw a phaeton drive from here.'

'Oh, that was at Mrs. Longworth's. Such a handsome man, though, papa! I
was at the window when he got in.'

Hiram patted his daughter's cheek playfully, and passed in. Keen and
discerning as he was, his _child_ could deceive him.

'Where is your mamma?' he asked.

'Out for a drive.'

'Is Gus at home?'

'No, papa; I have not seen him to-day.'

'Give orders to have dinner served punctually. I must go out immediately
after.'

CHAPTER II.

I have spoken of Hiram's three children.

The individual referred to in the last chapter as 'Gus' is the oldest,
and the only son. He is, at this period, about twenty-three years of
age.

His father undertook to bring him up in a very strict manner. He could,
however, give none of his time to the important business of starting his
son in the right path, and aiding him to continue in it. It was enough
for Hiram that _he_ was secure. He contented himself with laying down
severe courses, and holding his boy to the strictest fulfilment of
'duty.'

The result can readily be imagined. The young man, as he grew up and
understood fully his father's position, came to the conclusion that it
was quite unnecessary for him to practise the strict habits which had
been so despotically inculcated. So he gave loose rein