. Hermione and I shall never forget our obligations
to him."

"No, madame," said my father; and he got up and walked to the fireplace,
where in his embarrassment he laid his hand upon the ornamented box
which held the cigarettes of the fast lady.

She rose up too and went hastily toward him, anxious he should not
surprise her little frailty.

"The truth is, madame," whispered my father, who never could restrain
his tongue from any kindly indiscretion, "the poor fellow is suffering
too much from the attractions of Miss Leare. He has nothing but his
profession, and I tell him he must not dare to address her in her
father's absence."

"My dear captain, what does that matter? And I believe Hermione would
have him too," said her mother.

"Disparity of means--" began my father.

"Oh, no matter," interrupted Mrs. Leare: "her father always told her
just to please herself. Mr. Farquhar is an Englishman and of good
family. He has his profession to keep him out of mischief, and Hermie
will more than pay her own expenses. Indeed, I dare not go home without
a gentleman to look after us on the passage: my nerves have been too
shattered, and I never again shall trust a courier. Do let your son go
back with us," she implored persuasively; and added, as she saw that he
still hesitated, "Besides, what rich man in America knows how long he
may be rich? 'Spend your money and enjoy yourself' has always been my
motto."

Thus urged, what could my father do but suppose that Mrs. Leare knew Mr.
Leare's views better than he did? He no longer held out on the point of
honor.

In twenty-four hours Hermione and I were engaged to be married.

During the voyage to New York I learned to understand her father's
character, and when he met us on the wharf I was no longer afraid of
him.

Hermione's choice in marriage seemed to be wholly left to herself. Mr.
Leare told me, when I had that formidable talk with him dreaded by all
aspirants to the hand of a man's daughter, that Hermione had too much
good sense, self-respect and womanliness to give herself away to a man
unworthy of her. "That she can love you, sir," he said, "is sufficient
recommendation."

That it might be sufficient in my case I hoped with all my soul, but
felt, as Hermione had expressed it early in our acquaintance, that
society in America must be founded upon very different opinions than our
own in regard to the relations of men and women.

E.W. LATIMER.

THE AUTHOR