to the door.

"That is a rather remarkable boy," observed Judge Merlin, as they went
out together.

"A very remarkable one! Who is he?" asked Doctor Jarvis.

"The nephew of my overseer, Reuben Gray. That is absolutely all I know
about it."

"The nephew of Gray? Can it be so? Why, Gray is but an ignorant boor,
while this youth has the manners and education of a gentleman--a
polished gentleman!" exclaimed the doctor, in astonishment.

"It is true, and I can make nothing of it," said Judge Merlin, shaking
his head.

"How very strange," mused the doctor, as he mounted his horse, bowed and
rode away.

CHAPTER XLIV.

CLAUDIA'S PERPLEXITIES.

Oh, face most fair, shall thy beauty compare
With affection's glowing light?
Oh, riches and pride, how fade ye beside
Love's wealth, serene and bright.

--_Martin F. Tupper_.

Judge Merlin went into his well-ordered library, rang the bell, and sent
a servant to call his daughter.

The messenger found Claudia walking impatiently up and down the
drawing-room floor and turning herself at each wall with an angry jerk.
Claudia had not yet been admitted to see Ishmael. She had just been
refused again by old Katie, who acted upon the doctor's authority, and
Claudia was unreasonably furious with everybody.

Claudia instantly obeyed the summons. She entered the library with hasty
steps, closed the door with a bang, and stood before her father with
flushed cheeks, sparkling eyes, and heaving bosom.

"Hey, dey! what's the matter?" asked the judge, taking his pipe from his
mouth and staring at his daughter.

"You sent for me, papa! I hope it is to take me in to see that poor,
half-crushed boy! What does old Katie mean by forever denying me
entrance? It is not every day that a poor lad risks his life and gets
himself crushed nearly to death in my service, that I should be made to
appear to neglect him in this way! What must the boy think of me? What
does old Katie mean, I ask?"

"If your nature requires a vehement expression, of course I am not the
one to repress it! Still, in my opinion, vehemency is unworthy of a
rational being, at all times, and especially when, as now, there is not
the slightest occasion for it. You have not willfully neglected the
young man; it is not of the least consequence whether he thinks you
have, or not; and, finally, Katie means to obey the doctor's orders,
which are to keep every living soul out of the sick-room to secure the
pat