I beseech you to find a fitting and reputable home for Miss--Miss Mivers," the lip slightly curled as the name was said; "I shall provide suitably for her maintenance.

When she marries, I will dower her, provided only and always that her choice fall upon one who will not still further degrade her lineage on her mother's side,--in a word, if she select a gentleman.

Mr.Fielden, on this subject I have no more to say." In vain the good clergyman, whose very conscience, as well as reason, was shocked by the deliberate and argumentative manner with which the baronet had treated the abandonment of his sister's child as an absolutely moral, almost religious, duty,--in vain he exerted himself to repel such sophisms and put the matter in its true light.

It was easy for him to move Sir Miles's heart,--that was ever gentle; that was moved already: but the crotchet in his head was impregnable.

The more touchingly he painted poor Susan's unfriended youth, her sweet character, and promising virtues, the more Sir Miles St.John considered himself a martyr to his principles, and the more obstinate in the martyrdom he became.