enseless
with a blow, and crushed as easily as I and my gang have crushed an
escort with gold dust under their charge.

"I was received with a lowering brow, and an expression that boded me no
good, and I nerved myself for harsh words and reproaches, determined,
let him say what he pleased, I would not lose my temper.

"'I need not refer,' Mr. B---- said, 'to the base ingratitude of which
you have been guilty in seeking to compromise my daughter's honor and
happiness. I do not wish to upbraid you; and to give you an opportunity
of showing that I can forgive an indiscretion, I offer you an honorable
position in our house at St. Domingo; the junior manager has vacated his
situation, and we have concluded to give the berth to you, knowing that
a few months will cure you of the foolish passion which you now profess,
and that a few years' time will place you at the head of the house, and
at your disposal a handsome fortune.'

"'Then there is no hope of my seeing Miss Julia once more?' I faltered.

"'Foolish boy, read that article and see,' the banker said, tossing a
copy of the Times towards me.

"I read, and my brain grew wild while I read. I felt the hot blood
tingling in every vein, and boiling as though it would burst its bounds,
and all the time that the paper was trembling in my hands--they shook as
though I was under a fit of ague--I knew that the banker was
scrutinizing every gesture with his calm, cold eyes, calculating the
effect which it would have upon my love.

"'You do not read,' he said, at length, reaching out his hand to take
the paper.

"He spoke the truth, for, although I had glanced over the Times, I did
not exactly comprehend the meaning, and I was staring at the banker,
with his cold eyes, as though I read in them triumph at my confusion.

"I mechanically handed him the paper, when he adjusted his spectacles
with his usual precision, and in a calm voice read;--

"'We understand that the Hon. Fitzroy Summerset Howard, second son of
the Earl of Paisley, is soon to be united in marriage with the only
child of the rich banker, Mr. B----. A fortune of one hundred thousand
pounds is to be her dowry.'

"'That latter clause is the bait that attracted you, no doubt,' the
banker said, with a sneer; 'but luckily your project is defeated.'

"'I solemnly swear,' I exclaimed, with sudden energy, 'that I love Miss
Julia dearly--better than all the world, and that if you will allow me
two years' time to wi