taking the side
of her father against me. And this was the return from her. I could
have upbraided her, and told her what I felt; namely, that she had taken
advantage of my feelings towards her to make me a cat's-paw to obtain
her end with her father; and that now, having failed, I was left to my
fate, without even commiseration; but she looked so calm, so grave, and
so beautiful, that I could not do it. I commanded my wounded feelings,
and replied:

"Since I have the misfortune to meet the displeasure of the daughter as
well as of the father, Miss Trevannion, I have not another word to say,
but farewell, and may you prosper."

My voice faltered as I said the last words, and, bowing to her, I
quitted the room. Miss Trevannion did not even say farewell to me, but
I thought that her lips appeared to move, as quitting the room I took my
last look upon her beautiful face. I shut the door after me, and,
overpowered by my feelings, I sank upon a settee in the ante-room, in a
state of giddy stupor. I know not how long I remained there, for my
head turned and my senses reeled; but I was aroused from it by the heavy
tread of Mr Trevannion, who came along the corridor without a light,
and not perceiving me opened the door of the sitting-room where his
daughter still remained. He threw the door to after he had entered, but
it did not quite close, leaving a narrow stream of light through the
ante-room.

"Father," said Miss Trevannion in my hearing, "you look warm and
excited."

"I have reason so to be," replied Mr Trevannion, abruptly.

"I have heard from Mr Elrington the cause of it," replied Miss
Trevannion; "that is, I have heard his version of it. I am glad that
you have come back, as I am most anxious to hear yours. What has Mr
Elrington said or done to cause such irritation and his dismissal?"

"He has behaved with insolence and ingratitude," replied Mr Trevannion;
"I offered him partnership, and he refused, unless I would give up
privateering."

"So he stated; but in what manner was he insolent to you?"

"Insolent!--told me that he acted from conscientious motives, which was
as much as to say that I did not."

"Was his language very offensive?"

"No, not his language--that was respectful enough; but it was the very
respect which made it insolent. So I told him that as he could not,
from scruples of conscience, join me in privateering, of course his
scruples of conscience could not allow him to keep the