ou the reward you demand."

"My dear sir," I exclaimed, "I do not ask for your daughter's hand as a
reward for anything I have done, though I esteem it the highest prize I
could win. The service you are pleased to say I have rendered you, I
should equally have given to any fellow-creature, and I therefore ask
your daughter's hand as a free gift. I love her devotedly, and she has
consented, with your permission, to be mine."

"My permission I cannot give, Captain Laurel," exclaimed the old
gentleman, growing more and more agitated. "I desire to reward you to
the utmost of my power, and you have my sincere and hearty gratitude;
but more I cannot and will not offer. I regret deeply to say this, and
I am grieved--greatly grieved. My brother knows my determination, and I
am sure that you will agree that it is better I should express it at
once."

In vain I attempted to plead my cause. I entreated to see Sophie, but
her father replied that that would only be painful and useless; and at
length the elder Monsieur de Villereine observing that his carriage was
ready, I took the hint, and, feeling as if I was walking in a dream, I
got into it. I felt dreadfully cast down. It seemed to me that Sophie
was lost to me for ever, and I might not again have an opportunity of
seeing her.

"I have some few commissions to perform in the town," said my friend,
"and we will drive there. But notwithstanding what has occurred, I must
insist on your coming back with me to see Henri: he and his sister will
afford you all the consolation they can. But my brother is very
determined, and I know him so well that I cannot tell you to keep up
your hopes. It would be wiser for you to abandon them altogether."

We reached the town, and when we got there I was much inclined to go on
board the ship and remain: but Monsieur de Villereine pressed me so
earnestly to return, that, for the sake of Henri, I agreed to do so.
As, however, I wished to go on board for a short time, he undertook to
wait for me. Taking a boat from the shore, I pulled out to the _Ellen_.
I had not been long on board before Dick asked me to step into the
cabin, as he had something of interest to communicate to me.

"Well, Captain Laurel," he said, as soon as we were seated, "I went on
shore yesterday evening and walked up the town, and I am as sure as I am
alive that this is the very place where you came from. As I walked up
the street, I came to the very spot where t