d a million, I would not give you a sixpence of it."

"So be it," the other answered gaily. "I have not performed the duties of
a parent very punctually hitherto; but I don't mind taking some trouble
to find this girl while I am in England, in order that she may not lose
her chances with you."

"You need give yourself no trouble on that score. Mr. Fenton has promised
to find her for me."

"Indeed! I should like to see this Mr. Fenton."

"You can see him if you please; but you are scarcely likely to get a warm
reception in that quarter. Mr. Fenton knows what you have been to your
daughter and to me."

"I am not going to fling myself into his arms. I only want to hear all he
can tell me about Marian."

"How long do you mean to stay in England?"

"That is entirely dependent upon the result of my visit. I had hoped that
if I found you living, which I most earnestly desired might be the case,
I should find in you a friend and coadjutor. I am employed in starting a
great iron company, which is likely--I may say certain--to result in
large gains to all concerned in it; and I fancied I should experience no
difficulty in securing your co-operation. There are the prospectuses of
the scheme" (he flung a heap of printed papers on the table before his
father), "and there is not a line in them that I cannot guarantee on my
credit as a man of business. You can look over them at your leisure, or
not, as you please. I think you must know that I always had an
independent spirit, and would be the last of mankind to degrade myself by
any servile attempt to alter your line of conduct towards me."

"Independent spirit! Yes!" cried the old man in a mocking tone; "a son
extorts every sixpence he can from his father and mother--ay, Percy, from
his weak loving mother; I know who robbed me to send you money--and then,
when he can extort no more, boasts of his independence. But that will do.
There is no need that we should quarrel. After twenty years' severance,
we can afford to let bygones be bygones. I have told you that I am glad
to see you. If you come to me with disinterested feelings, that is
enough. You may take back your prospectuses. I have nothing to embark in
Yankee speculations. If your scheme is a good one, you will find plenty
of enterprising spirits willing to join you; if it is a bad one, I
daresay you will contrive to find dupes. You can come and see me again
when you please. And now good-night. I find this kind of talk ra