with a look of contempt, when, white with passion, he had been
unable to control himself, but dashed out of the place, muttering
fiercely.

My uncle had seen all, and his countenance lowered, but for a while he
did not speak. He walked to a closet, took out a cigar, and sat smoking
till Mrs Landell had left the room, when, beckoning me to him, he
pointed to a chair, and then, as soon as I was seated, he gave utterance
to what was in his mind.

"Harry, my lad," he said, "I am a plain, straightforward fellow, and I
like frankness. I'm going now to speak very plainly to you, for I'm not
blind. You've taken a fancy to little Lill."

I rose, holding by the back of my chair, blushed, blundered, and then
stood without a word.

"I see I am right," he said coolly. "But look here, Hal. I can't call
to mind a single dishonourable act committed by a member of either of
the families from which you sprang. Now listen to me: have you ever
said a word--you know what I mean--to Lilla?"

"Oh, no, Uncle!" I exclaimed warmly.

"Quite right, my lad--quite right, for it would not do. You see, Hal,
she has money in her own right, and you are not worth twopence. The
girl is in my care. I hold her from her relations, as it were, in
trust; and it seems to me that it would be like taking advantage of my
position if I encouraged anything between her and a poor relative of my
own. You'll have to go away, Harry, unless you can make me a promise,
and keep to it."

"What am I to promise?" I said gloomily; for he had ceased speaking;
and I began to realise what going away meant. "What am I to promise?"
I said again.

"Promise me, as a man of honour, that you will not in any way take
advantage of your position here."

"Is it likely," I said bitterly, "when I am not worth twopence, and
there is some one else in the field?"

"Don't be spiteful, lad, because things don't go as you wish. We all
have to bear crosses in our time. But, as you say, there's some one
else in the field. Garcia is an old lover, and I am under obligations
to him. You must not in any way cross his path, Hal, for he is rich,
and possesses a good deal of power over the Indians about here. I
should say, Hal, that in this lawless country that man's life would not
be safe who stood between him and his wishes. Don't offend him, Hal--
don't offend him, Hal. He's a good fellow, but, like all those
half-bloods, very susceptible."

"I'll promise you anything