Uncle Peter

The young man's brow grew crimson.

'I shall say, sir, all that is necessary for a man of honour to tell him who aspires to his daughter's hand - no less, no more.'

They parted; the light wheels of the young man's carriage glided swiftly over the smooth road that led towards Elsmore, but his heart yet more swiftly traversed the distance, and had acted and reacted the interview which awaited him long ere he arrived at the gates of the old mansion.

And the old man - he sat all the morning long in that small, bare study, bowing beneath the burthen of that desolate existence which henceforth he felt awaited him to his grave. Did his purpose falter? No, it gained strength by the very misery which he foresaw would attend its execution.

Lord Elsmore received the young man kindly, and his suit not unfavorably. He had, indeed, perceived for some time t