fully to reveal the pale agitated features of
his son. Had a stranger at that moment entered the cottage, he might for
the first time have perceived the strong family likeness that existed
between them. The same high features, the same compressed lips and
haughty stern expression of eye. The gloom which overspread the
countenance of the one, produced by the habitual absence of all joyous
feeling; the other by actual despair. Yes, in that hour they looked
alike, and the miser seemed tacitly to acknowledge the resemblance, for
a softening expression stole over his rigid features as he continued to
gaze upon his son.

"You have acted foolishly," he said; "no uncommon thing at your
age--and in danger and difficulty you seek me. I suppose I ought to
consider this act of condescension on your part a great compliment. Your
circumstances must be desperate indeed, when they lead you to make a
confidant of your father, considering how greatly I am indebted to you
for filial love. You have been in my neighborhood, Anthony Hurdlestone,
nearly a month, and this is the first visit with which you have honored
me."

"I should have been most happy to have paid my respects to you, sir,
could I have imagined that my visits would have been acceptable."

"It was worth your while to make the trial, young man. It was not for
you to think, but to act, and the result would have proved to you how
far you were right. But to dismiss all idle excuses, which but aggravate
your want of duty in my eyes, be pleased briefly to inform me, why I am
honored so late at night with a visit from Mr. Anthony Hurdlestone?"

Anthony bit his lips. It was too late to retract, and though he deeply
repented having placed himself in such a humiliating situation, he
faithfully related to his stern auditor the cause of his distress. The
old man listened to him attentively, a sarcastic smile at times writhing
his thin lips; and when Anthony implored him for the loan of four
hundred pounds, until the return of Mr. Wildegrave, who he was certain
would overlook his unintentional fraud--he burst into a taunting laugh,
and flatly refused to grant his request.

Anthony assailed him with a storm of eloquence, using every argument
which the agony of the moment suggested, in order to soften his hard
heart. He might as well have asked charity of the marble monuments of
his ancestors. Stung to madness by the old man's obstinate refusal, he
sprang from his seat.

"Father, rel