personal reformation, for she
was a little encouraged by the appearance of humiliation he had
manifested.

"I restore your fortune, on condition that you give your hand to this
gentleman in marriage;"--and Jaspar again fixed his eyes on the floor,
as if he dreaded the outbreak of a storm.

"This gentleman!" exclaimed Emily, indignantly. "This gentleman!"--and
she gazed upon him with a proud look of contempt, from which the
attorney would fain have hid his head. Her surprise was equal to her
indignation. Vernon had told her that _Maxwell_ was to be the suppliant
for her hand, and she could not see why his menial had the presumption
to claim her.

"This gentleman!" repeated Emily. "I had rather die a thousand deaths!"

"Then, madam, we shall be obliged to compel you to this step," replied
De Guy, stung by the scorn of Emily, and distrusting the energy of
Jaspar.

"Sir, your impertinence deserves a severer rebuke than I can
administer!" said Emily, the blood mounting to her face.

"But it must be even so, madam," returned the attorney coolly. "Fate has
so decreed. Your good uncle's circumstances imperatively demand it."

"Is this so, uncle?"

"It is, Emily. You must submit to your fate, unpleasant though it may
be," said Jaspar, looking at her with an absent stare.

"No, uncle, it shall not be so. I never will submit to such a fate. What
circumstances do you refer to?"

"I am in this man's power."

"God be with you, then! But I understand it all. He seeks my fortune,
not myself. I would rather he had the whole of it, than become such a
_thing_ as to marry that man!"

"Nay, lady, _you_ are of more worth to me than your fortune, large as it
is. I have contracted with your uncle for your hand, and he must pay the
price," said De Guy.

"He speaks truly, Emily. I have _sold_ you to him," replied Jaspar,
vacantly.

Emily was stung to the quick. This remark, she supposed, was in allusion
to her alleged condition; and the tears rose to her eyes, while the
indignant blood mounted to her cheek.

"Uncle, do not brand your soul with infamy!" she said, quickly.

"What!" exclaimed Jaspar, roused to a burst of passion.

"Be not a villain!" returned Emily, whose good-nature was sorely tried.

"Girl, beard not the lion in his den! I had half relented, but now I
feel strong again!" and he rose and tottered to the table, on which his
brandy-bottle stood. After taking a deep draught, he reseated himself.

"You must ma