ye, in the uncle, which had
so confounded the nephew. She looked, with timid pleading to her
father's face, but dared not speak.

And still the latter stood at the entrance, silent, sternly scanning the
young offenders, just beginning to be conscious of offence. A surprise
of any kind is exceedingly paralyzing to young lovers, caught in a
situation like that in which our luckless couple were found on this
occasion. It is probable, that, but for this, Ralph Colleton would
scarcely have borne so meekly the severe look which the father now
bestowed upon his daughter.

Though not the person to trouble himself much at any time in relation to
his child, Colonel Colleton had never once treated her unkindly. Though
sometimes neglectful, he had never shown himself stern. The look which
he now gave her was new to all her experience. The poor girl began to
conceive much more seriously of her offence than ever;--it seemed to
spread out unimaginably far, and to involve a thousand violations of
divine and human law. She could only look pleadingly, without speech, to
her father. His finger silently pointed her to withdraw.

"Oh, father!"--the exclamation was barely murmured.

"Go!" was the sole answer, with the finger still uplift.

In silence, she glided away; not, however, without stealing a fond and
assuring glance at her lover.

Her departure was the signal for that issue between the two remaining
parties for which each was preparing in his own fashion. Ralph had not
beheld the dumb show, in which Edith was dismissed, without a rising
impulse of choler. The manner of the thing had been particularly
offensive to him. But the father of Edith, whatever his offence, had
suddenly risen into new consideration in the young man's mind, from the
moment that he fully comprehended his feelings for the daughter. He was
accordingly, somewhat disposed to temporize, though there was still a
lurking desire in his mind, to demand an explanation of those
supercilious glances which had so offended him.

But the meditations of neither party consumed one twentieth part of the
time that we have taken in hinting what they were. With the departure of
Edith, and the closing of the door after her, Colonel Colleton, with all
his storms, approached to the attack. The expression of scorn upon his
face had given way to one of anger wholly. His glance seemed meant to
penetrate the bosom of the youth with a mortal stab--it was hate, rather
than anger, th