"Poor thing! poor child!" he said often, and brushed a tear from his eyes; "a thousand pities! Well, well, I hope she will be happy! Mind, money shall never stand in the way if she have a suitable offer!" This was all the worthy clergyman, after an hour's eloquence, could extract from him.

Out of breath and out of patience, he gave in at last; and the baronet, still holding his reluctant arm, led him back towards the house.

After a prolonged pause, Sir Miles said abruptly: "I have been thinking that I may have unwittingly injured this man,--this Mivers,--while I deemed only that he injured me.

As to reparation to his daughter, that is settled; and after all, though I do not publicly acknowledge her, she is half my own niece." "Half ?" "Half,--the father's side doesn't count, of course; and, rigidly speaking, the relationship is perhaps forfeited on the other.

However, that half of it I grant.