"To think that your sister, too, should have such a unprovoked insult offered to her! I am ready to sink with shame at the very thought." "Pray do not give yourself one moment's uneasiness upon the subject," said I earnestly, for I was grieved at her evident distress.

"I am sure that your father has some reason unknown to us for taking this step." "Heaven knows he has!" she answered, with ineffable sadness in her voice, "and yet I think it would be more manly to face a danger than to fly from it.

However, he knows best, and it is impossible for us to judge.

But who is this ?" she exclaimed, anxiously, peering up the dark avenue.

"Oh, it is my brother Mordaunt.