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different doing it for a girl I do not care for, whom, in fact, I rather dislike than otherwise, though I know it is wrong.'

'I know what is wrong,' returned Susan vehemently, that you should think of giving up the old place, and going away from us all.'

I should not lose sight of you, my dear; we should meet in London, and it would be pleasant for you to have your cousin settled so near the Mains.'

"No, it would not be pleasant. I want no one but you, Uncle Ralph. Now promise that you will never mention this scheme again. Papa would tell you that it is very quixotic and foolish, and Leonard ought not, and would not, accept such a sacrifice.'

'It shall be as you like, Susan,' rejoined Uncle Ralph, and he looked relieved by her decision; 'only you have not told me how I am to help the young people. Unless I give up Duck Dub, I shall be able to do little or nothing for Miriam in my lifetime, especially as there is George to provide for.'

6

You wrong Leonard,' Susan answered, 'by supposing that he has any other expectation. If he is in earnest and I believe he is in earnest-he only wishes you to sanction their engagement until he has earned a competency by his own exertions.'

'A modest expectation!' observed Mr. Mordaunt, who had crossed the field, and joined his daughter and Uncle Ralph before his approach had been observed by either, 'considering that his exertions have taken the line of spending rather than of

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saving, and that he has not now a sixpence in his pocket.'

He says that is to be all at an end now,' said Mr. Cornwall.

'As he has said any time the last two years, when he required an advance of money,' retorted Mr. Mordaunt.

'Well, Papa,' said Susan, glad to be released, 'if you want to talk the matter over with Uncle Ralph, I may as well depart.'

Not at all, Susan. My say will be soon said, and there is no need to study secrecy in an affair which Leonard is so eager to blazon abroad. I was in hopes of catching him here, but I passed him on his way back, looking triumphant and self-satisfied, and he would not deign to stop and speak to me.'

'And what do you think can be done, Mordaunt?' Mr. Cornwall asked, with an uneasy anticipation of the decided measures which he might be required to take.

'I should have thought,' replied Mr. Mordaunt, 'that your unassisted judgment must tell you that there is only one thing to be done,-to cut short the greatest piece of folly Leo's wit has yet devised.'

6

'But how?'

In any way you please. By sending Miriam to school, and Leo to his work or play. The young lady may cherish the interesting romance longer than is wise or wholesome, but in six weeks Leo will remember it only to be ashamed of it.'

'Susan looks incredulous,' observed Mr. Cornwall.

'Yes,' said Susan, 'I don't think Papa knows either Miriam or Leonard.'

'I know Leo only too well,' replied Mr. Mordaunt, and that he is as fickle as he is wilful. Now tell me, Susan, in spite of the spirit of romance to which you laid claim the other day, whether you do not think this a very foolish

business.'

Susan half smiled, and shook her head: 'I am retained on the other side, and have no right to give an opinion.'

'I do not see how I can interfere,' said Mr. Cornwall.

'My dear fellow!' exclaimed his friend impatiently, 'do you mean to say that you cannot interfere to prevent your own niece from making a pauper marriage at sixteen?'

It is only an engagement.'

'Well, if you prefer that view of the question, an engagement which must be broken off as soon as it has filled the child's head full of folly and

nonsense.'

There was a pause; it was evident that Uncle Ralph was engaged in the momentous business of making up his mind, and it was evident, too, what that decision must be, when Mr. Mordaunt was at his elbow. Susan had thrown herself on the grass, and was idly plucking at the daisies, while restless thoughts were hurrying to and fro. What mattered it to her how the affair was settled ? Or if she had any bias, ought it not rather to be towards the sanction which she now knew was to be withheld? For when Leonard belonged

to another, all vain yearnings must be stilled for

ever.

At last, and with all deliberation, the fiat was given. If it ought to be done, I suppose I can

do it,' said Uncle Ralph.

'Of course,' said Mr. Mordaunt; 'you had better come with me now, as no time should be lost in effacing an impression which cannot be very deep. I will take Leo in hand, who will storm and rave, while you will only have a few tears to contend with.'

'I wish I may,' said Mr. Cornwall; ‘if Miriam were like other girls, I should not be so much afraid of her.'

'Well, come now, before your resolution has subsided,' said Mr. Mordaunt; adding, as Susan also prepared to follow, 'Take my arm, dear; you look pale this morning.'

156

CHAPTER XVI.

For Love himself took part against himself
To warn us off, and Duty loved of Love-
O this world's curse,-beloved but hated-came
Like Death betwixt thy dear embrace and mine,
And crying, "Who is this? behold thy bride,"
She push'd me from thee.

TENNYSON.

MIRIAM found the morning tedious and un

comfortable, and the spring of happiness by which she was at first sustained, ebbed low before its conclusion. Out of consideration for her, the piano remained closed, and all other lessons were carried on in subdued tones, while she lay in restless inaction, irritated by any sounds which interfered with her eager listening for the footfall that never came. 'Never,' she said in her impatient yearning; yet the schoolroom party had no sooner dispersed to prepare for their early dinner, than Leonard was by her side; and while Miriam hid her face in shy and fluttering happiness, her 'poor, pale hand' was clasped and entwined with Leonard's sunburnt fingers.

'My poor child,' he said tenderly, 'you have been so worn with waiting for me; and yet I could

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