CHAPTER IV.
A RUPTURE--THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE.
Colonel Colleton stood confounded at the spectacle before him.

Filled with public affairs, or rather, with his own affairs in the public eye, he had grown totally heedless of ordinary events, household interests, and of the rapid growth and development of those passions in youth which ripen quite as fervently and soon in the shade as in the sun.

These children--how should they have grown to such a stature! His daughter, at this moment, seemed taller than he had ever seen her before! and Ralph!--as the uncle's eyes were riveted upon the youth, he certainly grew more than ever erect and imposing of look and stature.

The first glance which he gave to the scene, did not please the young man.

There was something about the expression of the uncle's face, which seemed to the nephew to be as supercilious, as it certainly was angry.