know that, however changed in her habits,
how wide soever be the range of thought knowledge may have imparted,
her fond, true heart will still be all our own; but can you risk her
fortunes on an ocean like this; can you peril all her future for so
little?"

"To hear you talk, Nelty, one might think she was going to Jerusalem or
Australia; sure, after all, it's only a few days away from us she 'll
be; and as for the dangers, devil a one of them I see. Peter Dalton's
daughter is not likely to be ill-treated anywhere. I 'e were always a
'good warrant' for taking care of our own; and, to make short of it,
I wish it, and Kate herself wishes it, and I don't see why our hopes
should not be as strong as your fears.'

"You remember, too, papa, that Dr. Grounsell agreed with me, and spoke
even more strongly than I did against the scheme?"

"And did n't I pay him off for his interference? Did n't I give him a
bit of my mind about it, and tell him that, because a man was employed
as a doctor in a family, he ought not to presume to advise them on their
own affairs? Faith, I don't think he'll trouble another patient with his
counsel."

"We must not forget, sir, that if his counsel came unasked, his skill
was unrequited; both came from a nature that wished us well."

"The advice and the physic were about the same value both made me sick;
and so you 're like to do if you worry me any longer. I tell you now, my
mind 's made up, and go she shall!"

"Oh, papa, not if dear Nelly thinks--"

"What's that to me don't I know more of the world than she does? Am I
come to this time of life to be taught by a slip of a girl that never
was ten miles out of her home? Sit down here now, and write the answer."

There was a stern determination in the way these last words were uttered
that told Nelly how fruitless would be all further opposition. She had
long since remarked, besides, how her father's temper reacted upon his
health, and how invariably any prolonged excitement terminated in
an attack of gout. Increasing age gave to these accesses of malady
a character of danger, which she already began to remark with deep
anxiety. Now she saw that immediate compliance with his wishes was the
only alternative left.

She seated herself at the table, and prepared to write. For some seconds
the disturbance of her thoughts, the mingled crowd of sensations that
filled her mind, prevented all power of calm consideration; but the
struggle was soon ove