“Do you regard the question in that light, sir?” inquired Ishmael doubtingly.

“Most assuredly.  It is the only true light in which to regard it.”

“Then I have no option but to accept your own terms, sir.  I will serve you gladly and gratefully, to the best of my ability,” concluded the youth.

And the affair was settled to their mutual satisfaction.

CHAPTER XLVI.

NEW LIFE.

  Oh, mighty perseverance! 
    Oh, courage, stern and stout! 
  That wills and works a clearance
    Of every troubling doubt,
  That cannot brook denial
    And scarce allows delay,
  But wins from every trial
    More strength for every day!

  —­M.F.  Tupper.

When the judge met his daughter at dinner that evening, he informed her of the new arrangement affected with Ishmael Worth.

Miss Merlin listened in some surprise, and then asked: 

“Was it well done, papa?”

“What, Claudia?”

“The making of that engagement with Ishmael.”

“I think so, my dear, as far as I am interested, at least, and I shall endeavor to make the arrangement profitable also to the youth.”

“And he is to remain with us until we go to town?”

“Yes, my dear; but you seem to demur, Claudia.  Now what is the matter?  What possible objection can there be to Ishmael Worth remaining here as my assistant until we go to town?”

“Papa, it will be accustoming him to a society and style that will make it very hard for him to return to the company of the ignorant men and women who have hitherto been his associates,” said Claudia.

“But why should he return to them?  Young Worth is very talented and well educated.  He works to enable him to study a profession.  There is no reason on earth why he should not succeed.  He looks like a gentleman, talks like a gentleman, and behaves like a gentleman!  And there is nothing to prevent his becoming a gentleman.”

“Oh, yes, there is, papa!  Yes, there is!” exclaimed Claudia, with emotion.

“To what do you allude, my dear?”

“To his—­low birth, papa!” exclaimed Claudia, with a gasp.

“His low birth?  Claudia! do we live in a republic or not?  If we do, what is the use of our free institutions, if a deserving young man is to be despised on account of his birth?  Claudia, in the circle of my acquaintance there are at least half-a-dozen prosperous men who were the sons of poor but respectable parents.”

“Yes! poor, but—­respectable!” ejaculated Claudia, with exceeding bitterness.

“My daughter, what do you mean by that?  Surely young Worth’s family are honest people?” inquired the judge.

“Ishmael’s parents were not respectable! his mother was never married!  I heard this years ago, but did not believe it.  I heard it confirmed to-day!” cried Claudia, with a gasp and a sob, as she sank back in her chair and covered her burning face with her hands.