cted to early engagements, and I
feared that ours might be disagreeable to you." I trust that the
recording angel will not register a very black mark against our friend
for this, the one and only falsehood that ever passed his lips.

During the long silent walk the merchant had been revolving in his mind
what course he should pursue, and he had come to the conclusion that it
was more easy to guide this impetuous stream of youth than to attempt to
stem it. He did not realize the strength of the tie that bound these
two young people together, and imagined that with judgment and patience
it might yet be snapped. It was, therefore, with as good an imitation
of geniality as his angular visage would permit of that he answered his
companion's confession.

"You can hardly wonder at my being surprised," he said. "Such a thing
never entered my mind for a moment. You would have done better to have
confided in me before."

"I must ask your pardon for not having done so."

"As far as you are concerned," said John Girdlestone affably, "I
believe you to be hard-working and right-principled. Your conduct since
you have joined the firm has been everything which I could desire."

Tom bowed his acknowledgments, much pleased by this preamble.

"With regard to my ward," continued the senior partner, speaking very
slowly and evidently weighing his words, "I could not wish her to have a
better husband. In considering such a question I have, however, as you
may imagine, to consult above everything else the wishes of my dead
friend, Mr. John Harston, the father of the young lady to whom you say
that you are engaged. A trust has been reposed in me, and that trust
must, of course, be fulfilled to the letter."

"Certainly," said Tom, wondering in his own mind how he could ever have
brought himself for one moment to think evil of this kindly and
righteous old man.

"It was one of Mr. Harston's most clearly expressed wishes that no words
or even thoughts of such matters should be allowed to come in his
daughter's way until she had attained maturity, by which he meant the
age of one-and-twenty."

"But he could not foresee the circumstances," Tom pleaded. "I am sure
that a year or so will make no difference in her sentiments in this
matter."

"My duty is to carry out his instructions to the letter. I won't say,
however," continued Mr. Girdlestone, "that circumstances might not arise
which might induce me to shorten this probation