e imagined would produce a beneficial
effect. But there was one point which McElvina could not conceal from
our hero, which was the melancholy fact of his father having, under an
assumed name, fallen a sacrifice to the offended laws of his country;
and the knowledge of this had so serious an effect upon Seymour, as
almost to neutralise the joy arising from the rest of the communication.
The first question which he asked himself was, whether Emily would or
ought to marry a man whose father had perished by so ignominious a
death; and, now that all other impediments to his making her an offer of
his hand were removed, whether that circumstance alone would not be an
insuperable bar to their union. Agitated by these conflicting doubts
Seymour passed a sleepless night, and on the ensuing morning his fever
had alarmingly increased. This was observed by the surgeon, who stated
that he could not account for it, except by supposing that there was
something heavy on the mind of his patient, which, unless removed, would
retard, if not prevent, recovery.

Susan, who with her husband had imagined that the disclosure which had
taken place would have had a beneficial effect, hastened to the sick
chamber, and soon persuaded our hero to make her a confidant of his
doubts and fears. "There is but one who can satisfy you on that point,
my dear William," replied she; "for although I feel convinced that I can
answer for her, it is not exactly a case of proxy--McElvina will be here
directly, and then I will obtain his permission to disclose the whole to
Emily, and you will have the answer from her own lips."

In the course of the forenoon, Emily was made acquainted with the
eventful history of our hero's birth and parentage--of her no longer
being an heiress--of his ardent love for her, and of the fears that he
entertained upon the subject.

"I am only sorry for one thing," replied Emily, "that he did not ask me
to marry him when I thought that I was an heiress--now, if I accept him,
I am afraid it may be thought--oh, if you knew how I have loved him--how
I have thought of him when far away," cried the sobbing girl, "you would
not--no one would think me capable of interested motives.--I am so glad
the property is his," continued Emily, looking and smiling through her
tears.

"Why, my dear Emily, if you begin to make difficulties, we shall be
worse than ever. There never was a more fortunate occurrence than this
attachment between you