rs nor champagne.
They have horses to ride, and servants to wait upon them more
obsequious than the servants of other people. And men will lend them
money too,--well knowing that there is no chance of repayment. Now
and then one hears a horrid tale of some young girl who surrenders
herself to such a one, absolutely for love! Upon the whole the
Colonel Marrables are popular. It is hard to follow such a man quite
to the end and to ascertain whether or no he does go out softly at
last, like the snuff of a candle,--just with a little stink.

"I will say it as quickly as I can," said the Captain. "I can gain
nothing I know by staying here in your company."

"Not while you are so very uncivil."

"Civil, indeed! I have to-day made up my mind, not for your sake, but
for that of the family, that I will not prosecute you as a criminal
for the gross robbery which you have perpetrated."

"That is nonsense, Walter, and you know it as well as I do."

"I am going back to India in a few weeks, and I trust I may never be
called upon to see you again. I will not, if I can help it. It may
be a toss-up which of us may die first, but this will be our last
meeting. I hope you may remember on your death-bed that you have
utterly ruined your son in every relation of life. I was engaged to
marry a girl,--whom I loved; but it is all over, because of you."

"I had heard of that, Walter, and I really congratulate you on your
escape."

"I can't strike you--"

"No; don't do that."

"Because of your age, and because you are my father. I suppose you
have no heart, and that I cannot make you feel it."

"My dear boy, I have an appetite, and I must go and satisfy it." So
saying the Colonel escaped, and the Captain allowed his father to
make his way down the stairs and into the cab before he followed.

Though he had thus spoken to his father of his blasted hopes in
regard to Mary Lowther, he had not as yet signified his consent to
the measure by which their engagement was to be brought altogether
to an end. The question had come to be discussed widely among their
friends, as is the custom with such questions in such circumstances,
and Mary had been told from all sides that she was bound to give it
up,--that she was bound to give it up for her own sake, and more
especially for his; that the engagement, if continued, would never
lead to a marriage, and that it would in the meantime be absolutely
ruinous to her,--and to him. Parson John came up