Though always most cordially welcomed there by old Wharton, and treated with every kindness by Emily Wharton short of that love which he desired, he had during the last three or four months abstained from frequenting the house.

During the past winter, and early in the spring, he had pressed his suit,--but had been rejected, with warmest assurances of all friendship short of love.

It had then been arranged between him and the elder Whartons that they should all meet down at the Hall, and there had been sympathetic expressions of hope that all might yet be well.

But at that time little or nothing had been known of Ferdinand Lopez.
But now the old baronet spoke to him, the father having deputed the loathsome task to his friend,--being unwilling himself even to hint his daughter's disgrace.

"Oh, yes, I've heard of him," said Arthur Fletcher.