nor to Mr. Melville, of a wish which can never be
realized. Go hence, silently, and at once."

The words and the manner of the pale imploring woman struck a vague
awe into the heart of her listener. But he did not the less resolutely
answer, "I cannot obey you. It seems to me that my honour commands me
to prove to your niece that, if I mistook the nature of her feelings
towards me, I did not, by word or look, lead her to believe mine towards
herself were less in earnest than they are; and it seems scarcely less
honourable towards my worthy rival to endanger his own future happiness,
should he discover later that his bride would have been happier with
another. Why be so mysteriously apprehensive? If, as you say, with such
apparent conviction, there is no doubt of your niece's preference for
another, at a word from her own lips I depart, and you will see me no
more. But that word must be said by her; and if you will not permit me
to ask for it in your own house, I will take my chance of finding her
now, on her walk with Mr. Melville; and, could he deny me the right to
speak to her alone, that which I would say can be said in his presence.
Ah! madam, have you no mercy for the heart that you so needlessly
torture? If I must bear the worst, let me learn it, and at once."

"Learn it, then, from my lips," said Mrs. Cameron, speaking with voice
unnaturally calm, and features rigidly set into stern composure. "And I
place the secret you wring from me under the seal of that honour which
you so vauntingly make your excuse for imperilling the peace of the home
I ought never to have suffered you to enter. An honest couple, of
humble station and narrow means, had an only son, who evinced in early
childhood talents so remarkable that they attracted the notice of
the father's employer, a rich man of very benevolent heart and very
cultivated taste. He sent the child, at his expense, to a first-rate
commercial school, meaning to provide for him later in his own firm.
The rich man was the head partner of an eminent bank; but very infirm
health, and tastes much estranged from business, had induced him to
retire from all active share in the firm, the management of which was
confined to a son whom he idolized. But the talents of the protege he
had sent to school took there so passionate a direction towards art
and estranged from trade, and his designs in drawing when shown to
connoisseurs were deemed so promising of future excellence, that