d, with a bitter despondency of tone.
"Equality of birth ceases when one falls into poverty, obscurity,
neglect, nothingness!"

"Really this is a morbid habit on your part. But, since we have thus
spoken so confidentially, will you not empower me to answer the question
which will probably be put to me, and the answer to which will, I doubt
not, remove every obstacle in the way of my happiness? Whatever the
reasons which might very sufficiently induce you to preserve, whilst
living so quietly in this place, a discreet silence as to the parentage
of Miss Mordaunt and your own,--and I am well aware that those whom
altered circumstances of fortune have compelled to altered modes of life
may disdain to parade to strangers the pretensions to a higher station
than that to which they reconcile their habits,--whatever, I say,
such reasons for silence to strangers, should they preclude you from
confiding to me, an aspirant to your niece's hand, a secret which, after
all, cannot be concealed from her future husband?"

"From her future husband? of course not," answered Mrs. Cameron. "But I
decline to be questioned by one whom I may never see again, and of whom
I know so little. I decline, indeed, to assist in removing any obstacle
to a union with my niece, which I hold to be in every way unsuited to
either party. I have no cause even to believe that my niece would accept
you if you were free to propose to her. You have not, I presume, spoken
to her as an aspirant to her hand. You have not addressed to her
any declaration of your attachment, or sought to extract from her
inexperience any words that warrant you in thinking that her heart will
break if she never sees you again."

"I do not merit such cruel and taunting questions," said Kenelm,
indignantly. "But I will say no more now. When we again meet let me hope
you will treat me less unkindly. Adieu!"

"Stay, sir. A word or two more. You persist in asking your father and
Lady Chillingly to consent to your proposal to Miss Mordaunt?"

"Certainly I do."

"And you will promise me, on your word as a gentleman, to state fairly
all the causes which might fairly operate against their consent,--the
poverty, the humble rearing, the imperfect education of my niece,--so
that they might not hereafter say you had entrapped their consent, and
avenge themselves for your deceit by contempt for her?"

"Ah, madam, madam, you really try my patience too far. But take my
promise, if you can ho