any
representations I might make her? for I know M'Grader thoroughly, and
can speak of him as a friend likes to speak."

"No, no, Tony; don't do it! don't do it!" cried she, with a degree of
emotion that perfectly amazed him, for the tears swam in her eyes, and
her lips trembled as she spoke. He stared fixedly at her; but she turned
away her head, and for some minutes neither spoke.

"Come, mother," said Tony, at last, and in his kindliest voice, "you
have a good head of your own; think of some way to prevent the poor old
doctor from going off into exile."

"How could we help him that he would not object to?"

"What if you were to hit upon some plan of adopting Dolly? You have long
loved her as if she were your own daughter, and she has returned your
affections."

"That she has," muttered the old lady, as she wiped her eyes.

"What use is this new wealth of ours if it benefit none but ourselves,
mother? Just get the doctor to talk it all over with you, and say to
him, 'Have no fears as to Dolly; she shall never be forced to marry
against her inclinations,--merely for support; her home shall be here
with us, and she shall be no dependant, neither.' I'll take care of
that."

"How like your father you said these words, Tony!" cried she, looking at
him with a gaze of love and pride together; "it was his very voice too."

"I meant to have spoken to her on poor M'Grader's behalf,--I promised
him I would; but if you tell me it is of no use--"

"I tell you more, Tony,--I tell you it would be cruel; it would be worse
than cruel," cried she, eagerly.

"Then I 'll not do it, and I 'll write to him to-day, and say so,
though, Heaven knows, I 'll be sorely puzzled to explain myself; but
as he is a true man, he 'll feel that I have done all for the best, and
that if I have not served his cause it has not been for any lack of the
will!"

"If you wish it, Tony, I could write to Mr. M'Gruder myself. A letter
from an old body like me is sometimes a better means to break a
misfortune than one from a younger hand. Age deals more naturally with
sorrow, perhaps."

"You will be doing a kind thing, my dear mother," said he, as he drew
her towards him, "and to a good fellow who deserves well of us."

"I want to thank him, besides, for his kindness and care of you, Tony;
so just write his address for me there on that envelope, and I 'll do it
at once."

"I'm off for a ramble, mother, till dinner-time," said Tony, taking his
ha