ather, sternly, "and weigh well your words.
I will not force you to fulfil a contract against your will--the
penalty and contingency of such a refusal have been provided for--but
pause before you reject the son of my old friend for a foreigner--a
man with whom you can have had but a few days' acquaintance."

Julia averted her eyes, and blushed scarlet, but placed her hand in
that of the count just as her mother entered the apartment.

"Enough," said young Merton, "I am satisfied. Come, father, let us
retire--our presence here is only a burden. O, Julia!" he added, in a
tone of deep feeling, "little did I expect this at your hands. I have
looked forward to this meeting with the fondest hope. It is
past--farewell--may you be happy."

"I shall be very happy to see you again--nevair!" said the count.

"O, as to that," said young Merton, approaching him, and addressing
him in a low tone, "I think _you_, at least, have not seen the last of
me, monsieur. At any rate, you shall hear from me soon."

"I 'ave not nozzin to do nor not to say viz _canaille_," said the
count.

"Then, perhaps, it will be more agreeable to you, sir, to be
horsewhipped in Broadway," said Merton.

"Me! horsevhip! me! the friend of Henri V.! horreur!" cried the count.

"Very good, monsieur, I have presented the alternative. Where may you
be found?"

"_Hotel de Ville_--City Hotel."

"_Au plaisir_, then _Count_ Alfred de Roseville," said Merton,
glancing at the card the Frenchman handed him. "Come, father."

"Mr. Brandon, I shall wait on you at your counting room in the course
of the forenoon," said Mr. Merton, senior; "we have an account to
settle together."

And the father and son bowed themselves out of the room. Julia was so
much agitated at the events which had just transpired, that she was
compelled to retire to her room. Uncle Richard and Mr. and Mrs.
Brandon remained upon the field of battle.

"Well, Maria," said the broker, "the first act of the comedy has been
played, in which you have assigned me a very insignificant and
low-comedy part, but I don't think either of us has made a very
distinguished figure in it. I hope the last act will redeem the
first."

The lady reddened, but made no reply.

"Let us foot up the column to see what amount is to be carried
forward," continued the broker. "Here's an old friendship dissolved--a
worthy young man broken hearted--a suspicious suitor introduced into
my family, and ten thousand dollar