, I will obey you. Miss Cameron--and, I may add, with Lady
Vargrave's consent--deputes me to say that, although she feels compelled
to decline the honour of your lordship's alliance, yet if in any
arrangement of the fortune bequeathed to her she could testify to
you, my lord, her respect and friendship, it would afford her the most
sincere gratification."

Lord Vargrave started.

"Sir," said he, "I know not if I am to thank you for this information,
the announcement of which so strangely coincides with your arrival. But
allow me to say that there needs no ambassador between Miss Cameron
and myself. It is due, sir, to my station, to my relationship, to
my character of guardian, to my long and faithful affection, to all
considerations which men of the world understand, which men of feeling
sympathize with, to receive from Miss Cameron alone the rejection of my
suit."

"Unquestionably Miss Cameron will grant your lordship the interview you
have a right to seek; but pardon me, I thought it might save you both
much pain, if the meeting were prepared by a third person; and on any
matter of business, any atonement to your lordship--"

"Atonement! what can atone to me?" exclaimed Vargrave, as he walked to
and fro the room in great disorder and excitement. "Can you give me back
years of hope and expectancy,--the manhood wasted in a vain dream? Had
I not been taught to look to this reward, should I have rejected all
occasion--while my youth was not yet all gone, while my heart was
not yet all occupied--to form a suitable alliance? Nay, should I have
indulged in a high and stirring career, for which my own fortune is by
no means qualified? Atonement! atonement! Talk of atonement to boys!
Sir, I stand before you a man whose private happiness is blighted, whose
public prospects are darkened, life wasted, fortunes ruined, the schemes
of an existence built upon one hope, which was lawfully indulged,
overthrown; and you talk to me of _atonement_!"

Selfish as the nature of this complaint might be, Aubrey was struck with
its justice.

"My lord," said he, a little embarrassed, "I cannot deny that there is
truth in much of what you say. Alas! it proves how vain it is for man
to calculate on the future; how unhappily your uncle erred in imposing
conditions, which the chances of life and the caprices of affection
could at any time dissolve! But this is blame that attaches only to the
dead: can you blame the living?"

"Sir, I consid