the
caprices, and bearing the sorrows, of a grief-stricken old man. Will you
do this for me, Frank?"

"I will," replied I; "and may God help me, as I execute this trust
faithfully!"

"You have relieved my mind of half its burden," returned Oaklands
warmly. "I have only one thing more to mention--When I came of age last
year my father's liberality made over to me an ample income for a single
man to live on: excepting a few legacies to old servants, I have divided
this between your good little sister and yourself, which I thought you
would prefer to my leaving it to you alone."

"Harry I indeed, I cannot allow you to do this; others must surely have
claims upon you."

"There is not a being in the world who has a right to expect a farthing
at my death," answered he; "the next heir to the entailed estates is a
distant relation in Scotland, already wealthy. My father has always been
a careful man, and, should he lose me, will have a larger income than he
can possibly be able to spend; besides, as the duties I have led you
to undertake must necessarily prevent you from engaging actively in any
profession, I am bound in common fairness to provide for you."

"Be it so, then," replied I--inwardly breathing a prayer that I never
might possess a sixpence of the promised fortune.

"One thing more," added Harry. "When you return to Trinity--poor old
Trinity, shall I ever visit you again!--find out how Lizzie Maurice is
going on, and if she should marry respectably in her own rank, ask my
father to give you a hundred pounds as a wedding present for her; only
hint that it was my wish, and he would give twenty times the sum. And
now good--pshaw!" he continued, drawing his hand across his eyes, "I
shall ~212~~play the woman if I talk to you much more--good-night,
Frank--do you accompany us to the ground to-morrow morning?"

"I will go with you," returned I, with difficulty overcoming a choking
sensation in my throat; "I may be able to be of some use."

"Here comes Archer," said Oaklands, "so once more good-night; I must get
home, or my father will wonder what is become of me."

My heart was too full to speak, and pressing his hand I turned abruptly
away, and walked quickly in the opposite direction.

CHAPTER XXVII -- THE DUEL

"The sun begins to gild the western sky,
And now it is about the very hour.

They will not fail,
Unless it be to come before their time;
So