e you going
with him?"

"Me! no, George; what could put such a wild thought into your head?"

"And what then is to become of you during his absence, that must
necessarily be a long one?"

"I shall remain with my aunt Selwyn in Bristol, till she returns to
Clifton."

"Julia, you know that I love you, and you have given me reason to
believe that I am far from indifferent to you; then why not, my dearest
girl, give me the right to protect and provide for you at once, instead
of delegating it to a maiden aunt, who, whatever may be her good
qualities, has, as you know, always regarded me with dislike and
jealousy."

"I cannot, George, without my father's consent."

"Your hand, then, goes where he chooses to bestow it, let your
affections be where they will."

"It is a duty that I owe to him to attend to his wishes, and listen to
his advice."

"So then, if he advises you to marry the fool Dormington, or the brute
Foxley, you obey unhesitatingly?"

"George, this is unkind; you are supposing an extreme case."

"But you say you will obey him; you repeat that it is your duty to
listen to his advice in all cases."

"I will never marry without his consent, but I will never marry any one
that I dislike."

"That is intimating, rather obliquely, to be sure, that you may alter
your mind."

"O George, George," said the weeping girl, "why will you continue to
torment me and yourself with these jealous doubts and suspicions? why
will you not rather ask my father's consent? you know his affection for
you."

"Yes, propose such a question, and what is the reply? a peremptory
refusal, and an immediate dismissal from his employment. Now that his
mind is so much taken up with his new scheme, such a proceeding would be
little short of madness. Be mine, then, at once."

"I dare not."

"But suppose, what is by no means impossible, nay, rather likely to
happen, that he should determine to fix himself in Mexico, or Lima, or
some other South American city, as foreign partner of the house?"

"I cannot believe such an event possible, but if it should--" she turned
away her head.

"Do I interpret your silence right, Julia? would you indeed be mine?
speak to me, Julia." She made no other answer than a sigh, but still
kept her head averted. By this time they had reached the house.

As soon as they were seated in the drawing-room, the lover again urged
her to "make signal of his hope;"--she raised her eyes, swimming in
tears, in