on up courage to do so,' interrupted Dr Pendle, in
cutting tones. 'Unfortunately, your candour was not equal to your
capability for deception, so I was obliged to learn the truth from a
stranger.'

'Cargrim!' cried Gabriel, his instinct telling him the name of his
betrayer.

'Yes, from Mr Cargrim. He heard the truth from the lips of this girl
herself. She informed him that she was engaged to marry you--you, my
son.'

'It is true!' said Gabriel, in a low voice. 'I wish to make her my
wife.'

'Make her your wife!' cried Dr Pendle, angrily; 'this common
girl--this--this barmaid--this--'

'I shall not listen to Bell being called names even by you, father,'
said Gabriel, proudly. 'She is a good girl, a respectable girl--a
beautiful girl!'

'And a barmaid,' said the bishop, dryly. 'I congratulate you on the
daughter-in-law you have selected for your mother!'

Gabriel winced. Much as he loved Bell, the idea of her being in the
society of his delicate, refined mother was not a pleasant one. He could
not conceal from himself that although the jewel he wished to pick out
of the gutter might shine brilliantly there, it might not glitter so
much when translated to a higher sphere and placed beside more polished
gems. Therefore, he could find no answer to his father's speech, and
wisely kept silence.

'Certainly, my sons are a comfort to me!' continued the bishop,
sarcastically. 'I have brought them up in what I judged to be a wise and
judicious manner, but it seems I am mistaken, since the first use they
make of their training is to deceive the father who has never deceived
them.'

'I admit that I have behaved badly, father.'

'No one can deny that, sir. The question is, do you intend to continue
behaving badly?'

'I love Bell dearly--very dearly!'

The bishop groaned and sat down helplessly in his chair. 'It is
incredible,' he said. 'How can you, with your refined tastes and
up-bringing, love this--this--? Well, I shall not call her names. No
doubt Miss Mosk is well enough in her way, but she is not a proper wife
for my son.'

'Our hearts are not always under control, father.'

'They should be, Gabriel. The head should always guide the heart; that
is only common sense. Besides, you are too young to know your own mind.
This girl is handsome and scheming, and has infatuated you in your
innocence. I should be a bad father to you if I did not rescue you from
her wiles. To do so, it is my intention that you shall g