d now you ask me what business I have
to know it."

"Well, well, girl, it's very true," said the old man, smiling, "but
allowing that you are correct, what then?"

"Why then, father, don't be angry if I say that it appears to me that
you have more money now than you can spend while you live, or know to
whom to leave when you die. What, then, is the use of confining
yourself in a dirty, narrow street, and toiling all day for no earthly
advantage?"

"But how do you know that I have nobody to leave my money to, Susan?"

"Have you not repeatedly said that you have no relations or kin, that
you are aware of; except me; that you were once a sailor before the
mast--an orphan, bound apprentice by the parish? Whom, then, have you
except _me_?--and if you continue here much longer, father, I feel
convinced that you will not have me--you will have no one. If you knew
how tired I am of looking out at this horrid brick wall--how I long for
the country, to be running among the violets and primroses--how I pine
for relief from this little dungeon. Oh! what would I give to be flying
before the breeze in the lugger with McElvina!"

"Indeed, Miss!" replied old Hornblow, whom the reader may recognise as
the patron of our smuggling captain.

"Well, father, there's no harm in saying so. I want freedom. I feel as
if I could not be too free; I should like to be blown about in a
balloon. Oh, why don't you give up business, go down to the sea-side,
take a pretty little cottage, and make yourself and me happy? I fancy
the sea-breeze is blowing in my face, and all my ringlets out of curl.
I shall die if I stay here much longer--I shall indeed, father."

Repeated attacks of this nature had already sapped the foundation; and a
lovely and only daughter had the influence over her father's heart, to
which she was entitled.

"Well, well, Susan, let McElvina wind up the accounts of this vessel,
and then I will do as you wish; but I cannot turn him adrift, you know."

"Turn Captain McElvina adrift! No--if you did, father--"

"I presume that you would be very much inclined to take him in tow--eh,
Miss?"

"I shall never act without attending to your advice, and consulting your
wishes, my dear father," answered Susan, the suffusion of her unusually
pale cheeks proving that she required but colour to be perfectly
beautiful.

And here the conversation dropped. Old Hornblow had long perceived the
growing attachment between his daughter