ith.
Falter one jot and I whistle you off for ever. You are no more daughter
of mine. I am as firm as I am fond; nor would I do this, but that I know
well I am doing rightly. Yes! take this Armine once more to your heart,
and you receive my curse, the deepest, the sternest, the deadliest that
ever descended on a daughter's head.'

'My father, my dear, dear father, my beloved father!' exclaimed Miss
Temple, throwing herself at his feet. 'Oh! do not say so; oh! recall
those words, those wild, those terrible words. Indeed, indeed, my heart
is breaking. Pity me, pity me; for God's sake, pity me.'

'I would do more than pity you; I would save you.'

'It is not as you think,' she continued, with streaming eyes: 'indeed
it is not. He has not preferred his suit, he has urged no claim. He has
behaved in the most delicate, the most honourable, the most considerate
manner. He has thought only of my situation. He met me by accident. My
friends are his friends. They know not what has taken place between us.
He has not breathed it to human being. He has absented himself from his
home, that we might not meet.'

'You must marry Lord Montfort at once.'

'Oh! my father, even as you like. But do not curse me; dream not of
such terrible things; recall those fearful words; love me, love me;
say I am your child. And Digby, I am true to Digby. But, indeed, can
I recall the past; can I alter it? Its memory overcame me. Digby knows
all; Digby knows we met; he did not curse me; he was kind and gentle.
Oh! my father!'

'My Henrietta,' said Mr. Temple, moved; 'my child!'

'Oh! my father, I will do all you wish; but speak not again as you have
spoken of Ferdinand. We have done him great injustice; I have done him
great injury. He is good and pure; indeed, he is; if you knew all, you
would not doubt it. He was ever faithful; indeed, indeed he was. Once
you liked him. Speak kindly of him, father. He is the victim. If you
meet him, be gentle to him, sir: for, indeed, if you knew all, you would
pity him.'

CHAPTER XVII.

_In Which Ferdinand Has a Very Stormy Interview with His
Father_.

IF WE pause now to take a calm and comprehensive review of the state and
prospects of the three families, in whose feelings and fortunes we have
attempted to interest the reader, it must be confessed that, however
brilliant and satisfactory they might appear on the surface, the
elements of discord, gloom, and unhappiness might be more prof