displeasure; and _that_, you
may find one of these days, it is no light thing to have
incurred--unnecessarily too, as you are doing."

"I am very sorry to displease you, Mr. Graham, but----"

"No, you're not _sorry_; if you were, you would not walk straight in the
face of my wishes," said Mr. Graham, who began to observe the expression
of Gertrude's face, which, though troubled, had acquired additional
firmness, instead of quailing before his severe and cutting words. "But
I have said enough about a matter which is not worthy of so much notice.
You can go or stay, as you please. I wish you to understand, if you go,
I utterly withdraw my protection and assistance from you. You must take
care of yourself, or trust to strangers. I suppose you expect your
Calcutta friend will support you, perhaps come home and take you under
his especial care; but if you think so, you know little of the world. I
dare say he is married to an Indian by this time, and, if not, has
forgotten you."

"Mr. Graham," said Gertrude, proudly, "Mr. Sullivan will not probably
return to this country for many years, and I assure you I neither look
to him nor anyone else for support; I intend to earn a maintenance for
myself."

"A heroic resolve!" said Mr. Graham, contemptuously, "and pronounced
with a dignity I hope you will be able to maintain. Am I to consider,
then, that your mind is made up?"

"It is, sir," said Gertrude, not a little strengthened for the dreaded
necessity of pronouncing her final resolution by Mr. Graham's sarcastic
speeches.

"And you go?"

"I must. I believe it to be my duty, and am, therefore, willing to
sacrifice my own comfort, and, what I assure you I value far more, your
friendship."

Mr. Graham did not seem to take the least notice of the latter part of
her remark, and so far forgot his usual politeness as to drown her voice
in the violent ringing of the table-bell.

It was answered by Katy with the breakfast; and Emily and Mrs. Ellis
coming, all seated themselves at the table, and the meal was commenced
in unusual silence and constraint, for Emily had heard the loud tones of
her father's voice, while Mrs. Ellis plainly saw that something
unpleasant had occurred.

When Mr. Graham had finished eating a hearty breakfast, he turned to
Mrs. Ellis, and invited her to accompany himself and Emily on their
journey to the south, mentioning the probability that they should pass
some weeks in Havana.

Mrs. Ellis accepted