oo nearly concerns all my future happiness to make me neglect
whatever may conduce to its accomplishment."

The old man hesitated; he knew not well what reply to make. At length he
said,--

"Be it so, Mr. Linton; you shall have this permission. I only ask,
that before you do so, we should clearly and distinctly understand each
other. _We_ are of the world, and can discuss its topics, man to man.
With _her_, the matter rests on other and very different grounds."

"Of course; so I understand the permission, sir," said Linton,
courteously, "on the distinct understanding that her acceptance alone is
wanting to fill up the measure of my wishes."

"Is it necessary that I should repeat that I am totally destitute of
fortune--that the humble means I possess expire with me, and that I am
as poor in influence as in all else?"

"I have sufficient for both, sir, for all that moderate wishes can
desire. Pray do not add a word upon the subject."

"I must be explicit, Mr. Linton, however wearisome to you the theme.
You will pardon an old man's prolixity, in consideration for the motives
which prompt it. We have absolutely nothing of our once powerful family,
save the name and the escutcheon,--mementos to remind us of our fall!
They did, indeed, say, some time back, that our title to the estate
afforded strong grounds for litigation--that there were points of
considerable importance--"

"May I interrupt you, sir?" said Linton, laying his hand on Corrigan's
arm. "A subject so full of regrets to _you_ can never be a pleasing
topic to _me_. I am fully as rich as a man like myself could desire; and
I trust to personal exertions for whatever I may wish to add in the way
of ambition."

"And with good reason, sir," said Corrigan, proudly. "There are no
failures to those who unite honesty of purpose with fine abilities. I
will not add a word. Go--speak to my granddaughter: I tell you frankly
my best wishes go with you."

Linton smiled a look of deep gratitude, and moved towards the door.

"One second more," cried Corrigan, as the other laid his hand on the
lock; "it may soon be, that, as a member of our family, you would have
the right to express a will on the subject we have been talking of. I
would wish to say, that, as I have abandoned all desire to contest this
question, I should equally expect the same line of conduct from you."

"Can you doubt it, sir--or is it necessary that I should give my
promise?"

"I hope and trust n