ave been called by a telegram this morning to the
Continent; the matter is so pressing that--shall I confess it?--if this
stupid meeting with the Commodore had been arranged, I should have been
a defaulter. Yes, I'd have made I don't well know what explanation to
account for my absence. I can imagine what comments would have been
passed upon my conduct. I feel very painfully, too, for the part I
should have left to such of my friends here as would defend me, and yet
have not a fragment to guide their defence. And still, with all these
before me, I repeat, I would have gone away, so imminent is the case
that calls me, and so much is the matter one that involves the whole
future of my life. And now," said he, while his voice became fuller and
bolder, "that I have told you this, I am ready to tell you more, and to
say that at one word of yours--one little word--I 'll remain."

"And what may that word be?" said she, quietly; for while he was
speaking she had been preparing herself for some such issue.

"I need not tell you," said he, gravely.

"Supposing, then, that I guess it,--I am not sure that I do,--but
suppose that,--and could it not be just as well said by another,--by
Bella, for instance?"

"You know it could not. This is only fencing, for you know it could
not."

"You mean, in fact, that I should say, 'don't go?'"

"I do."

"Well, I 'm willing enough to say so, if my words are not to convey more
than I intend by them."

"I 'll risk even that," said he, quickly. "Put your name to the bond,
and we 'll let lawyers declare what it is worth after."

"You frighten me, Mr. Maitland," said she, and her tone showed that now
at least she was sincere.

"Listen to me for one moment, Alice," said he, taking her hand as he
walked beside her. "You are fully as much the mistress of your fate as
I am master of mine. You may consult, but you need not obey. Had it been
otherwise, I never would have dared on a hardihood that would probably
have wrecked my hopes. It is just as likely I never could satisfy the
friends about you on the score of my fortune,--my means,--my station,
and so on. It is possible, too, that scandal, which makes free with
better men, may not have spared me, and that they who would have the
right to advise you might say, 'Beware of that dreadful man.' I repeat,
this is an ordeal my pride would feel it hard to pass through; and so
I come to you, in all frankness, and declare I love you. To you--you
alo