ed.

"Yes, thank you, judge."

"Come then. We will go down. We are a little behind time at best this
evening, upon account of our young friend's long-winded address. It was
a splendid affair, though. Worth waiting to hear, was it not?" proudly
inquired the judge as they descended the stairs.

They entered the drawing room.

It was a family party that was assembled there, with the sole exception
of the Viscount Vincent, who indeed had become a daily visitor, a
recognized suitor of Miss Merlin, and almost one of their set.

As soon as Mr. Brudenell had paid his respects to each member of the
family, Lord Vincent advanced frankly and cordially to greet him as an
old acquaintance, saying:

"I had just learned from Miss Merlin of your arrival. You must have left
London very soon after I did."

Before Mr. Brudenell could reply, Judge Merlin came up with Ishmael and
said:

"Lord Vincent, excuse me. Mr. Brudenell, permit me--Mr. Worth, of the
Washington bar."

Herman Brudenell turned and confronted Ishmael Worth. And father and son
stood face to face.

Herman's face was quivering with irrepressible yet unspeakable emotion;
Ishmael's countenance was serene and smiling.

No faintest instinct warned Nora's son that he stood in the presence of
his father. He saw before him a tall, thin, fair-complexioned,
gentlemanly person, whose light hair was slightly silvered, and whose
dark brown eyes, in such strange contrast to the blond hair, were bent
with interest upon him.

"I am happy to make your acquaintance, young gentleman. Permit me to
offer you my congratulations upon your very decided success," said Mr.
Brudenell, giving his hand.

Ishmael bowed.

"Brudenell, will you take my daughter in to dinner?" said Judge Merlin,
seeing that Lord Vincent had already given his arm to Mrs. Middleton.

Herman, glad to be relieved from a position that was beginning to
overcome his self-possession, bowed to Miss Merlin, who smilingly
accepted his escort.

Judge Merlin drew Bee's arm within his own and followed. And Mr.
Middleton, with a comic smile, crooked his elbow to Ishmael, who laughed
instead of accepting it, and those two walking side by side brought up
the rear.

That dinner passed very much as other dinners of the same class. Judge
Merlin was cordial, Mr. Middleton facetious, Lord Vincent gracious, Mr.
Brudenell silent and apparently abstracted, and Ishmael was attentive--a
listener rather than a speaker. The ladi