his daughter and--Mr.
Ferrers. He was, indeed, surprised. It appeared that Henrietta was
about to run forward to him; but her companion checked her, and she
disappeared down a neighbouring walk. Mr. Ferrers advanced, and saluted
her father--

'You are surprised to see me, my dear sir?'

'I am surprised, but most happy. You came, of course, with Lord Bohun?'

Mr. Ferrers bowed.

'I am very desirous of having some conversation with you, my dear Major
Ponsonby,' continued Mr. Ferrers.

'I am ever at your service, my dearest sir, but at the present moment I
must go and greet his lordship.'

'Oh, never mind Bohun,' said Mr. Ferrers, carelessly. 'I have no
ceremony with him--he can wait.'

The major was a little perplexed.

'You must know, my dearest sir,' continued Mr. Ferrers, 'that I wish to
speak to you on a subject in which my happiness is entirely concerned.'

'Proceed, sir,' said the Consul, looking still more puzzled.

'You can scarcely be astonished, my dearest sir, that I should admire
your daughter.'

The Consul bowed.

'Indeed,' said Mr. Ferrers; 'it seems to me impossible to know her and
not admire: I should say, adore her.'

'You flatter a father's feelings,' said the Consul.

'I express my own,' replied Mr. Ferrers. 'I love her--I have long loved
her devotedly.'

'Hem!' said Major Ponsonby.

'I feel,' continued Mr. Ferrers, 'that there is a great deal to
apologise for in my conduct, towards both you and herself: I feel that
my conduct may, in some degree, be considered even unpardonable: I will
not say that the end justifies the means, Major Ponsonby, but my end
was, at least, a great, and, I am sure a virtuous one.'

'I do not clearly comprehend you, Mr. Ferrers.'

'It is some consolation to me,' continued that gentleman, 'that the
daughter has pardoned me; now let me indulge the delightful hope that I
may be as successful with the father.'

'I will, at least, listen with patience, to you, Mr. Ferrers; but I must
own your meaning is not very evident to me: let me, at least, go and
shake hands with Lord Bohun.'

'I will answer for Lord Bohun excusing your momentary neglect. Pray, my
dear sir, listen to me. I wish to make you acquainted, Major Ponsonby,
with the feelings which influenced me when I first landed on this
island. This knowledge is necessary for my justification.'

'But what is there to justify?' inquired the major.

'Conceive a man born to a great fortune,' continued Mr