ou surely do
not mean to thank me wholly in his name, my young friend. Have you
nothing to say for your own sake?"

Willie looked surprised, but replied, unhesitatingly, "Certainly, sir;
as one of a large circle of acquaintances and friends whom Miss Clinton
honours with her regard, my admiration and gratitude for your
disinterested exertions are unbounded; and not only on her account, but
on that of whom you nobly rescued from a most terrible death."

"Am I to understand that you speak only as a friend of humanity, and
that you felt no personal interest in any of my fellow-passengers?"

"I was unacquainted with nearly all of them. Miss Clinton was the only
one I had known for any greater length of time than during two or three
days of Saratoga intercourse; but I should have mourned her death, since
I was in the habit of meeting her familiarly in her childhood, have
lately been continually in her society, and am aware that her father, my
respected partner, an old and invaluable friend, who is now much
enfeebled in health, could hardly have survived so severe a shock as the
loss of an only child, whom he idolises."

"You speak very coolly, Mr. Sullivan. Are you aware that the prevailing
belief gives you credit for feeling more than a mere friendly interest
in Miss Clinton?" The dilating of Willie's eyes, as he fixed them
inquiringly upon Mr. Amory--the half-scrutinising expression of his
face, as he seated himself in the chair, were sufficient evidence of the
effect of the question unexpectedly put to him. "Sir," said he, "I
either misunderstood you, or the prevailing belief is a most mistaken
one."

"Then you never before heard of your own engagement."

"Never, I assure you. Is it possible that so idle a report has obtained
an extensive circulation among Miss Clinton's friends!"

"Sufficiently extensive for me, a mere spectator of Saratoga life, to
hear it whispered from ear to ear, as a fact worthy of credit."

"I am surprised and vexed at what you tell me," said Willie.
"Nonsensical and false as such a rumour is, it will, if it should reach
Miss Clinton, be a source of annoyance to her; and on that account, I
regret the circumstances which have probably given rise to it."

"Do you refer to considerations of delicacy on the lady's part, or have
you the modesty to believe that her pride would be wounded by having her
name thus coupled with that of her father's junior partner, a young man
hitherto unknown to fa