er; I shall remain here
until the first of December, when we go to town; a matter of six weeks;
and I shall be glad, Ishmael, during the interval of my stay here, to
retain you as my assistant. What say you?"

"Indeed, sir, I shall feel honored and happy in serving you."

"I will give you what I consider a fair compensation for so young a
beginner. By the way, how old are you?"

"I shall be nineteen in December."

"Very well; I will give you twenty dollars a month and your board."

"Judge Merlin," said Ishmael, as his pale face flushed crimson, "I shall
feel honored and happy in serving you; but from you I cannot consent to
receive any compensation."

The judge stared at the speaker with astonishment that took all power of
reply away; but Ishmael continued:

"Consider, sir, the heavy obligations under which I already rest towards
you, and permit me to do what I can to lighten the load."

"What do you mean? What the deuce are you talking about?" at last asked
the judge.

"Sir, I have been an inmate of your house for nearly three months,
nursed, tended, and cared for as if I had been a son of the family. What
can I render you for all these benefits? Sir, my gratitude and services
are due to you, are your own. Pray, therefore, do not mention
compensation to me again," replied the youth.

"Young man, you surprise me beyond measure. Your gratitude and services
due to me? For what, pray? For taking care of you when you were
dangerously injured in my service? Did you not receive all your injuries
in saving my daughter from a violent death? After that, who should have
taken care of you but me? 'Taken care of you?' I should take care of all
your future! I should give you a fortune, or a profession, or some other
substantial compensation for your great service, to clear accounts
between us!" exclaimed the judge.

Ishmael bowed his head. Oh, bitterest of all bitter mortifications! To
hear her father speak to him of reward for saving Claudia's life! To
think how everyone was so far from knowing that in saving Claudia he had
saved himself! He had a right to risk his life for Claudia, and no one,
not even her father, had a right to insult him by speaking of reward!
Claudia was his own; Ishmael knew it, though no one on earth, not even
the heiress herself, suspected it.

The judge watched the youth as he sat with his fine young forehead bowed
thoughtfully upon his hand; and Judge Merlin understood Ishmael's
reluctance t