haps for ever? Will they stop
the whisperings of calumny? Will they carry conviction to those
strangers to me, or enemies of mine, whose pleasure it may be to
disbelieve them? You have placed both yourself and me, sir, in a
position of embarrassment--nay, a position of danger and disgrace, from
which the strongest reasons and the best excuses cannot extricate us."

"I entreat you to believe," replied Mr. Streatfield, "that I deplore
from my heart the error--the fault, if you will--of which I have been
unconsciously guilty. I implore your pardon, both for what I said and
did at your table to-day; but I cannot do more. I cannot and I dare not
pronounce the marriage vows to your daughter, with my lips, when I know
that neither my conscience nor my heart can ratify them. The commonest
justice, and the commonest respect towards a young lady who deserves
both, and more than both, from every one who approaches her, strengthen
me to persevere in the only course which it is consistent with honor and
integrity for me to take."

"You appear to forget," said Mr. Langley, "that it is not merely your
own honor, but the honor of others, that is to be considered in the
course of conduct which you are now to pursue."

"I have by no means forgotten what is due to _you_," continued Mr.
Streatfield, "or what responsibilities I have incurred from the nature
of my intercourse with your family. Do I put too much trust in your
forbearance, if I now assure you, candidly and unreservedly, that I
still place all my hopes of happiness in the prospect of becoming
connected by marriage with a daughter of yours? Miss Clara Langley--"

Here the speaker paused. His position was becoming a delicate and a
dangerous one; but he made no effort to withdraw from it. Almost
bewildered by the pressing and perilous emergency of the moment,
harassed by such a tumult of conflicting emotions within him as he had
never known before, he risked the worst, with all the blindfold
desperation of love. The angry flush was rising on Mr. Langley's cheek;
it was evidently costing him a severe struggle to retain his assumed
self-possession; but he did not speak. After an interval, Mr.
Streatfield proceeded thus:--

"However unfortunately I may express myself, I am sure you will do me
the justice to believe that I am now speaking from my heart on a subject
(to _me_) of the most vital importance. Place yourself in my situation,
consider all that has happened, consider tha