home to-day, Ferdinand,' said Sir Ratcliffe. 'Perhaps you
will come.'

'Thank you, sir, I am engaged.'

'It seems to me you are always engaged. For a person who does not like
gaiety, it is very odd.'

'Heigho!' said Ferdinand. 'How do you like your new horse, sir?'

'Ferdinand, I wish to speak a word to you,' said Sir Ratcliffe. 'I do
not like ever to interfere unnecessarily with your conduct; but the
anxiety of a parent will, I think, excuse the question I am about to
ask. When do you propose being married?'

'Oh, I do not know exactly.'

'Your grandfather has been dead now, you know, much more than a year.
I cannot help thinking your conduct singular. There is nothing wrong
between you and Katherine, is there?'

'Wrong, sir?'

'Yes, wrong? I mean, is there any misunderstanding? Have you
quarrelled?'

'No, sir, we have not quarrelled; we perfectly understand each other.'

'I am glad to hear it, for I must say I think your conduct is very
unlike that of a lover. All I can say is, I did not win your mother's
heart by such proceedings.'

'Katherine has made no complaint of me, sir?'

'Certainly not, and that surprises me still more.'

Ferdinand seemed plunged in thought. The silence lasted some
minutes. Sir Ratcliffe took up the newspaper; his son leant over the
mantel-piece, and gazed upon the empty fire-place. At length he turned
round and said, 'Father, I can bear this no longer; the engagement
between Katherine and myself is dissolved.'

[Illustration: page2-118.jpg]

'Good God! when, and why?' exclaimed Sir Ratcliffe, the newspaper
falling from his hand.

'Long since, sir; ever since I loved another woman, and she knew it.'

'Ferdinand! Ferdinand!' exclaimed the unhappy father; but he was so
overpowered that he could not give utterance to his thoughts. He threw
himself in a chair, and wrung his hands. Ferdinand stood still and
silent, like a statue of Destiny, gloomy and inflexible.

'Speak again,' at length said Sir Ratcliffe. 'Let me hear you speak
again. I cannot believe what I have heard. Is it indeed true that your
engagement with your cousin has been long terminated?'

Ferdinand nodded assent.

'Your poor mother!' exclaimed Sir Ratcliffe. 'This will kill her.' He
rose from his seat, and walked up and down the room in great agitation.

'I knew all was not right,' he muttered to himself. 'She will sink under
it; we must all sink under it. Madman! you know not what you have done!'

'It