ed with great asperity of look and tone, 'Margaret, you have
taken an unfair advantage, and abused the confidence I reposed in you;
I did not expect this from you.'

"'Dearest father, you have suffered my cousin Theophilus to prejudice
you against one whom you once loved--whom my dear mother loved: let him
speak for himself.'

"'Well, sir,' said the Baronet, holding out his hand, 'what have you to
say in extenuation of your past conduct? You found it convenient, no
doubt, to forget an old friend.'

"'My excellent, kind benefactor,' I cried, pressing his hand warmly
between my own, 'how can you imagine me guilty of such base
ingratitude?'

"'I judge your feelings, young man, by deeds, not by words. It is not
for a boyish act of indiscretion I blame you. You thrashed an insolent
lad of your own age for insulting you; and in your place I would have
done the same. To appease his wounded pride, I demanded of you an
apology, as the lad was my guest and near kinsman--no very great
sacrifice of pride, one would have thought, to a penniless pensioner on
my bounty. This, you audaciously refused, and, without waiting for my
anger to cool (for I was not acquainted at the time with the real
circumstances of the case) you abandoned your home, and sought
protection in the house of my enemy--a man who had thwarted me in every
way which lay in his power. His favour you gained by traducing your
benefactor and friend; and you now come to me, after the lapse of
years, to make a boast of your wealth. Philip Mornington!' he cried,
rising from his seat, and drawing himself up to his full height, 'I
loved you as a spirited, independent boy: I despise you, as a wealthy,
treacherous, vain-glorious man!'

"'Dear papa,' said Margaret, greatly agitated, 'you cannot mean what
you say.'

"'I do mean what I say. My words are plain and straightforward; let him
refute them if he can.'

"'To such accusations as you have brought against me, Sir Alexander,
there can be but one answer: they are false! I will not, however,
lessen myself by attempting to vindicate my conduct from such base
calumnies, but leave it to time to convince you of your error, and
prove my integrity.'

"Without waiting for his reply, I left the room, with a bearing as
haughty and inflexible as his own, and flinging myself into the saddle,
rode from the Hall. Disgusted with myself for having yielded to the
entreaties of my amiable foster-sister, I could not master my
indign