here is, papa! Yes, there is!" exclaimed Claudia, with
emotion.

"To what do you allude, my dear?"

"To his--low birth, papa!" exclaimed Claudia, with a gasp.

"His low birth? Claudia! do we live in a republic or not? If we do, what
is the use of our free institutions, if a deserving young man is to be
despised on account of his birth? Claudia, in the circle of my
acquaintance there are at least half-a-dozen prosperous men who were the
sons of poor but respectable parents."

"Yes! poor, but--respectable!" ejaculated Claudia, with exceeding
bitterness.

"My daughter, what do you mean by that? Surely young Worth's family are
honest people?" inquired the judge.

"Ishmael's parents were not respectable! his mother was never married! I
heard this years ago, but did not believe it. I heard it confirmed
to-day!" cried Claudia, with a gasp and a sob, as she sank back in her
chair and covered her burning face with her hands.

The judge laid down his knife and fork and gazed at his daughter,
muttering:

"That is unfortunate; very unfortunate! No, he will never get over that
reproach; so far, you are right, Claudia."

"Oh, no, I am wrong; basely wrong! He saved my life, and I speak these
words of him, as if he were answerable for the sins of others--as if his
great misfortune was his crime! Poor Ishmael! Poor, noble-hearted boy!
He saved my life, papa, at the price of deadly peril and terrible
suffering to himself. Oh, reward him well, lavishly, munificently; but
send him away! I cannot bear his presence here!" exclaimed the excited
girl.

"Claudia, it is natural that you should be shocked at hearing such a
piece of news; which, true or false, certainly ought never to have been
brought to your ear. But, my dear, there is no need of all this
excitement on your part. I do not understand its excess. The youth is a
good, intelligent, well-mannered boy, when all is said. Of course he can
never attain the position of a gentleman; but that is no reason why he
should be utterly cast out. And as to sending him away, now, there are
several reasons why I cannot do that: In the first place, he is not able
to go; in the second, I need his pen; in the third, I have made an
engagement with him which I will not break. As for the rest, Claudia,
you need not be troubled with a sight of him; I will take care that he
does not intrude upon your presence," said the judge, as he arose from
the table.

Claudia threw on her garden hat and h