“‘I need not refer,’ Mr. B——­ said, ’to the base ingratitude of which you have been guilty in seeking to compromise my daughter’s honor and happiness.  I do not wish to upbraid you; and to give you an opportunity of showing that I can forgive an indiscretion, I offer you an honorable position in our house at St. Domingo; the junior manager has vacated his situation, and we have concluded to give the berth to you, knowing that a few months will cure you of the foolish passion which you now profess, and that a few years’ time will place you at the head of the house, and at your disposal a handsome fortune.’

“‘Then there is no hope of my seeing Miss Julia once more?’ I faltered.

“‘Foolish boy, read that article and see,’ the banker said, tossing a copy of the Times towards me.

“I read, and my brain grew wild while I read.  I felt the hot blood tingling in every vein, and boiling as though it would burst its bounds, and all the time that the paper was trembling in my hands—­they shook as though I was under a fit of ague—­I knew that the banker was scrutinizing every gesture with his calm, cold eyes, calculating the effect which it would have upon my love.

“‘You do not read,’ he said, at length, reaching out his hand to take the paper.

“He spoke the truth, for, although I had glanced over the Times, I did not exactly comprehend the meaning, and I was staring at the banker, with his cold eyes, as though I read in them triumph at my confusion.

“I mechanically handed him the paper, when he adjusted his spectacles with his usual precision, and in a calm voice read;—­

“’We understand that the Hon. Fitzroy Summerset Howard, second son of the Earl of Paisley, is soon to be united in marriage with the only child of the rich banker, Mr. B——.  A fortune of one hundred thousand pounds is to be her dowry.’

“‘That latter clause is the bait that attracted you, no doubt,’ the banker said, with a sneer; ‘but luckily your project is defeated.’

“‘I solemnly swear,’ I exclaimed, with sudden energy, ’that I love Miss Julia dearly—­better than all the world, and that if you will allow me two years’ time to win her, you may keep your fortune, and bestow it upon whom you please.”

“‘Pshaw!’ he said, with an expression of contempt; ’I but waste words with you.  In one week my daughter weds, and to benefit you, and rid her of an annoyance, I have offered you a position at St. Domingo; will you accept it or not?’

“‘And fall a victim to the yellow fever in a month after my arrival,’ I said, with a taunting smile, for I felt the devil rising within me, and I did not care to suppress it.

“‘Perhaps,’ was the laconic answer; and the cold eyes gleamed like those of a basilisk.

“’Then hear me, and know that I too have firmness.  Your daughter and myself have pledged our mutual faith—­we have exchanged vows which soar above your money bags, and as long as I possess my reason, my liberty, and health, so long will I endeavor to see the lady, and hold her to her word.’