ferent to my suit. But if you continue to persevere in trying to
win her affections you will drive me mad."

Godfrey spoke with vehemence. Anthony remained silent, lost in profound
thought. Godfrey went up to him and grasped him firmly by the hand.
"Prove your love and gratitude to my father, Anthony, by an act of
friendship to his son."

"God knows that I am painfully alive to the many obligations I owe to
him, Godfrey; but you require of me a sacrifice I am unable to grant."

"Have you made an offer to Miss Whitmore? and has she accepted you?"

"Neither the one nor the other. Have you?"

"I spoke to her on the subject yesterday."

"Well," said Anthony, turning very pale. "Did she reject your suit?"

"She did not. She talked of her youth, and made some excuse to go to her
father. But she showed no indications of displeasure. From her manner, I
had all to hope, and little to fear. Few women, especially a young girl
of seventeen, can be won without a little wooing. I have no doubt of
ultimately winning her regard."

"Can you really be in earnest?"

"Do you doubt my word? Do you think the _miser's heir_ more likely to
win the affections of the romantic child of genius than the last scion
of a ruined man?"

"How have I suffered myself to be cheated and betrayed by my own
vanity!" said Anthony, thoughtfully. "Alas, for poor human nature, if
this statement be true!"

"You still question my words, Anthony! Upon my honor, what I have said
is strictly true; nor would it be honorable in you, after what I have
advanced, to press your suit upon the lady."

"If you asked me to resign the wealth you prize so highly, Godfrey, I
could do it. Nay, even my life itself would be a far less sacrifice than
the idea of giving up the only woman I ever loved. Ask anything of me
but that, for I cannot do it!"

"Then you will compel me to do this," said Godfrey, taking from his
breast a loaded pistol, and aiming it at his own head.

"Madman!" cried Anthony, striking the weapon from his hand; "what would
you do?"

"Prove your gratitude to me and mine," said Godfrey with a bitter laugh.
"Your father is rich, mine is poor, and has been made so by his
generosity to others!"

That horrid taunt! ah, how it stung his proud sensitive cousin to the
heart! Startled and alarmed at Godfrey's demeanor, he was yet very
doubtful of the truth of his statements, feared that he was but acting a
part, until he saw the bright cheek of his compan