me the trouble. However, now that you
know the truth, sir,' said Captain Pendle, with his sunny smile, 'may I
ask for your approval and blessing?'

'You may ask,' said the bishop, coldly, 'but you shall have neither.'

'Father!' The answer was so unexpected that George jumped up from his
chair with a cry of surprise, and even Gabriel, who was in the secret of
his brother's love for Mab, looked astonished and pained.

'I do not approve of the engagement,' went on the bishop, imperturbably.

'You--do--not--approve--of--Mab!' said Captain Pendle, slowly, and his
face became pale with anger.

'I said nothing about the lady,' corrected the bishop, haughtily; 'you
will be pleased, sir, to take my words as I speak them. I do not approve
of the engagement.'

'On what grounds?' asked George, quietly enough.

'I know nothing about Miss Arden's parents.'

'She is the daughter of Miss Whichello's sister.'

'I am aware of that, but what about her father?'

'Her father!' repeated George, rather perplexed. 'I never inquired about
her father; I do not know anything about him.'

'Indeed!' said the bishop, 'it is just as well that you do not.'

Captain Pendle looked disturbed. 'Is there anything wrong with him?' he
asked nervously. 'I thought he was dead and buried ages ago.'

'I believe he is dead; but from all accounts he was a scoundrel.'

'From whose account, bishop?'

'Mrs Pansey's for one.'

'Father!' cried Gabriel, 'surely you know that Mrs Pansey's gossip is
most unreliable.'

'Not in this instance,' replied the bishop, promptly. 'Mrs Pansey told
me some twenty-six years ago, when Miss Whichello brought her niece to
this city, that the child's father was little better than a gaol-bird.'

'Did she know him?' asked George, sharply.

'That I cannot say, but she assured me that she spoke the truth. I paid
no attention to her talk, nor did I question Miss Whichello on the
subject. In those days it had no interest for me, but now that I find my
son desires to marry the girl, I must refuse my consent until I learn
all about her birth and parentage.'

'Miss Whichello will tell us about that!' said George, hopefully.

'Let us trust that Miss Whichello dare tell us.'

'Dare, sir!' cried Captain Pendle, gnawing his moustache.

'I used the word advisedly, George. If what Mrs Pansey asserts is true,
Miss Whichello will feel a natural reluctance to confess the truth about
Miss Arden's father.'

'Admitting as much,'