e white draped breakfast table, this room had a very
inviting aspect on this frosty December morning.

The judge stood with his back to the fire, and a damp newspaper open in
his hand. Claudia was nowhere visible--a hasty glance around the room
assured Ishmael that she had not yet entered it. Ishmael's movements
were so noiseless that his presence was not observed until he actually
went up to the judge, and, bowing, accosted him with the words:

"I am here according to appointment, Judge Merlin; and hope I find you
well."

"Ah, yes; good-morning! how do you do, Ishmael?" said the judge laying
aside his paper and cordially shaking hands with the youth. "Punctual, I
see. Had a pleasant journey?"

"Thank you, sir; very pleasant," returned Ishmael.

"Feel like setting to work this morning? There is quite an accumulation
of correspondence groaning to be attended to."

"I am ready to enter upon my duties whenever you please, sir."

"All right," said the judge, touching a bell that presently summoned Jim
to his presence.

"Let us have breakfast immediately. Where is Miss Merlin? Let her know
that we are waiting for her."

"'Miss Merlin' is here, papa," said a rich voice at the door.

Ishmael's heart bounded and throbbed, and Claudia entered the breakfast
room.

Such a picture of almost Oriental beauty, luxury, and splendor as she
looked! She wore a morning robe of rich crimson foulard silk, fastened
up the front with garnet buttons, each a spark of fire. The dress was
open at the throat and wrists, revealing glimpses of the delicate
cambric collar and cuffs confined by the purest pearl studs. Her
luxuriant hair was carried away from her snowy temples and drooped in
long, rich, purplish, black ringlets from the back of her stately head.
But her full, dark eyes and oval crimson cheeks and lips glowed with a
fire too vivid for health as she advanced and gave her father the
morning kiss.

"I am glad you have come, my dear! I have been waiting for you!" said
the judge.

"You shall not have to do so another morning, papa,'" she answered.

"Here is Ishmael, Claudia," said her father, directing her attention to
the youth, who had delicately withdrawn into the background; but who, at
the mention of his own name, came forward to pay his respects to the
heiress.

"I am glad to see you, Mr. Worth," she said, extending her hand to him
as he bowed before her; and then quickly detecting a passing shade of
pain in his expr