Confound it all, man! Do you mean to say that such a thing is to be borne ?" Dacres was now quite frantic; so Hawbury, with a sigh of perplexity, lighted a fresh cigar, and thus took refuge from the helplessness of his position.

It was clearly a state of things in which advice was utterly useless, and consolation impossible.

What could he advise, or what consolation could he offer?
The child-angel was now out of his friend's reach, and the worst fears of the lover were more than realized.
"I told you I was afraid of this," continued Dacres.

"I had a suspicion that she was alive, and I firmly believe she'll outlive me forty years; but I must say I never expected to see her in this way, under such circumstances.

And then to find her so infernally beautiful! Confound her! she don't look over twenty-five.