ISHMAEL OR IN THE DEPTHS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 479, 11 June 1890, Page 6

ISHMAEL OR IN THE DEPTHS.

BY MRS EMMA D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH, Author of “Self-Raised,” “Fair Play,” “The Missing Eridc,” “A Noble Lord,” “ How • He Won Her,” “The Prince of Darkness,’ “Tried for Her Life.” Etc., Etc.

CHAPTER LX. HERMAN AND HANNAH. She had the passions of her herd, She spake some bitter truths that day, Indeed he caught one ugly word. Was scarcely lit for her to say! Anon. When breakfast was over, Mr Brudenelj took hia hat and walked down the avenue to Seventh-street, and to the ‘Farmer’s,’ in search of Hannah.

In answer to hia inquiries he was told that she was in and he was desired to walk up to her room. A servant preceded him, opened a door, and said : * Here is a gem’an to see you, mum.’ And Mr Brudenell entered. Hannah looked, dropped the needlework she held in her hand, started up, overturninf; the chair, and with a stare of consternation, exclaimed : ‘The Lord deliver us! is it you? and hasn’t the devil got you vet, Herman Brudenell ?’ *lt is I, Hannah,’ he answered, dropping without invitation into the nearest seat. * And what on earth have you come for, after all these years?' she asked, continuing to stare at him. * To see you, Hannah.' ‘And what, in the name of common sense, do you want to see me for? I don't want to see you ; and that I tell you plainly ; for I’d just as lief see old Nick !' ‘ Hannah,' said Herman Brudenell, with an unusual assumption of dignity, * I have come to speak to you about Are you quite alone ?’ he suddenly broke off and inquired, cautiously glancing around the room. ‘What’s that to you? What can you have to say to mo that you could not shout troin the house-top ? Yes, I’m alone, if you must know !’ * Then 1 wish to speak to you about my son.’

‘Your— what?' demanded Hannah, with a frown as black as midnight. ‘My son,’ repeated Herman Brudenell,

with emphasis. ‘Your son? What son ? 1 didn’t know you had a son ! What should I know about your son ?’ ‘Woman, stop this ! I speak of my son, lahmael Worth ! whom I met for the first time in the court-room yesterday ! And I ask you how it has fared with him these many years?’ demanded Mr Brudenell, sternly, for he was beginning to lose patience with Hannah. 4 Oh—h ! So you met lshmael Worth in the court-room yesterday, just when he had proved himself to be the most talented man there, did you ? That accounts for it all! I understand it now ! Y r ou could leave him in his helpless, impoverished, orphaned infancy to perish. You could utterly neglect him, letting him suffer with cold and hunger and sickness for years and years and years ! And now that, by the blessing of Almighty God, he has worked himself up out of that horrible pit into the open air of the world ; and now that from being a poor, despised outcast babe he has risen to bo a man of note among men ; now , forsooth, you want to claim him as your son ! Herman Brudenell, I always hated you, but now I scorn you ! Twenty odd years ago I would have killed you, only I didn’t want to kill your soul a 3 well as your body, nor likewise be hanged for you ! And now I would shy this stick of wood at your head only that I don’t want Reuben Gray to have the mortification of seeing his wife took up for assault ! But I hate you, Herman Brudenell! And I despise you ! There ! take yourself out of my sight.’ Mr Brudenell stamped impatiently and said:

4 Hannab, you speak angrily, and therefore, of course foolishly. What good could accrue to me, or to him, by claiming Ishmael as my son, unless I could prove a marriage with his mother? It would only unearth the old, cruel, unmerited scandal now forgotten ! No, Hannah ; to you only, who are the sole living depository of the secret, will I solace myself by speaking of him as my son ! You reproach me with having left him to perish. I did nob so. I ieft in your hands a cheque for several I forget now how many—thousand dollars to be used for his benefit. And I always hoped that he was well provided for until yesterday, when Judge Merlin, little thinking the interest I had in the story, gave me a sketch of lahmael’s early sufierings and struggles. And now I ask you what became of that cheque ?’ ‘ That cheque ? What cheque ? W 7 hat in the world do you mean ?’ ‘The cheque for several thousand dollars which I gave you on the day of my departure to be used for Ishmael’s benefit.’ 4 Well, Herman Brudenell, I always thought with all your faults, you were still a man of truth ; but after this —!’ And Hannah finished by lifting her hands and eyes in horror. ‘ Hannah, you do severely try my temper, but in memory of all your kindness to my son ’ ‘Oh! 1 wasn’t kind to him! I was as bad to him as you and all the rest! I wished him dead and neglected him !’ 4 You did !’

‘Of course! Could anybody expect me to care more for him than his own father did ? Yes ! I wished him dead and neglected him, because I thought he had no right to be in the world and would be better out of it. So did everyone else ! But he sucked his little skinny thumb, and looked alive at us with his big, bright eyes, and lived in defiance of everybody ! And only see what he has lived to be. But it is the good Lord’s doings, and not mine, and not yours, Herman Brudenell, so don’t thank me any more for kindness that I never showed to Ishmael, and don’t tell any more bragging lies about the cheques for thousands of dollars that you never left him I’ Again Herman Brudenell stamped impatiently, frowned, bit his lips and said : • You shall not goad me to anger with the two-edged sword of your tongue, Hannah ! You are unjust, because you are utterly mistaken in your premises ! I did leave that cbequ of which I speak ! And I wish to know what became of it, that it was not used for the support and education of Ishmael. Listen now, and I will bring the whole circumstances to your recollection.’ And Herman Brudenell related in detail all the little incidents connected with his drawing of the cheque, ending with : * Now don’t you remember, Hannah ?’ Hannab looked surprised, and said:

* Yes, but was that little bib of dirty white paper, tore out of an old book, worth all that money ?’ ‘ Yos ! after I had drawn a cheque upon it!’ ‘ I didn’t know ! I didn’t understand ! I was sorb o’ dazed with grief, I suppose.' ‘ But what became of the paper, Hannah ?’ ‘ Mrs Jones lit the candle with it!’ ‘ Oh ! Hannah !’ 1 Was the money all lost, entirely lost, because that little bit of paper wa3 burnt ?’ ‘ To you and to lshmael it was, of course, since you never received it; but to me it was nob, since it was never drawn from the bank.* * Well, then, Mr Brudenell, since the money was not lost, I do not so much care if the cheque was burnt! I should not have used it for myself, or lshmael, anyhow ! Though I am glad to know you did nob neglect him and leave him to perish in destitution, as I supposed you had ! I am very glad that you took measures for his benefit, although he never profited by them, and I never would have let him do so ! Still it is very pleasant to think that you did your duty ; and I am sorry I was so unjust to you, Mr Brudenell.’ ‘Say no more of that, Hannah ! Let us talk of my son ! Remember that it is only to you that I can talk of him. Tell me all about his infancy and childhood. Tell me little anecdotes ot him. I want to know more about him than the judge could tell me ! I know old women love to gossip at great length of old times, so gossip away, Hannah ! tell me everything. Y’ou shall have a most interested listener !’ ‘ “ Old women,” indeed! Not so very much older than yourself, Mr Herman Brudenell ! if it comes to that! Bui any ways, if Reuben don’t see as I am old, you needn’t hit me in the teeth with it!’ snapped Mrs Gray. * Hannah ! Hannah ! what a temper you have gob, to be sure ! It is well Reuben is as patient as Job !’ *lb is enough to rouse any woman’s emper to be called old bo her very face !’ * So it is, Hannah ; I admit it, and beg your pardon ! Bub nothing was farther frem my thoughts than to offend you ! I feel old myself—very old, and so naturally think of the companions of my youth as old i also. And now, will you balk to me about ! my son ?’ * Well, yes, I will,’ answered Hannah, j and her tongue being loosened upon the subject, she gave Mr Brudenell [ all the incidents and anecdotes with which ; the reader is already acquainted, and a i great many more with which I could nob cumber elds story. , While she was still 1 gossiping ’ and Herman listening, steps were heard wibh- , out and the door opened and Reuben Gray entered, smiling and radiant, and leading two robust children—a boy and a girleach with a little basket of early fruit in • hand. j On seeing a stranger, Reuben Gray took off his hat, and the children stopped short, put their fingers in their mouths, and ■ stared. ‘Reuben, have you forgotten our old . landlord, Mr Herman Brudenell?’inquired Hannah. ‘ Why law, so it is ! I’m main glad to see you, sir ! I hope I find you well!’ exclaimed Reuben, beaming all over with welcome, as Mr Brudenell arose, and shook hands with him, replying : * Quite well, and very happy to see you, Gray.’ ‘ John and Mary, where are your manners ? Take your fingers out of your mouths this minute !—l’m quite ashamed of you !—and bow to the gentleman !’ said Hannah, admonishing her offspring. ‘ Whose fine children are these ?’ inquired Mr Brudenell, drawing the 3hy little ones to him. Reuben’s honest face glowed all over with pride and joy as he answered : * They are ours, sir! they aro indeed! though you mightn’t think it, to look at them and us ! And lshmael—that is our nephew, sir—and though he is now Mr Worth, and a splendid lawyer, he won’t burn agin his plain kin, nor hear to our calling of him anythink else but lshmael; and after making his great speech yesterday, acbilly walked right out’n the courtroom, afore all the people, arm in arm long o’ Hannah ! —lshmael, as I was a saying, tells mo as how this boy, John, have got a good head and would make a fine scollard, and how, by-and-by, ho means to take him for a stoodenb and make a lawyer on him. And as for the girl, sir—why, law ! look at her! you can see for yourself, sir, as she will have all her mother’s beauty.’ And Reuben, with a broad, brown hand laid benignantly upon each little head, smiled down upon the children of his age with all the glowing effulgence ofan autumnal noonday sun shining down upon the late flowers. Bub—poor Hannah’s ‘ beauty !’ Mr Brudenell repressed the smile that rose to his lips, for he felt that the innocent illusions of honest affection were far too sacred to be laughed at. And with some well-deserved compliments to the health and intelligence of the boy and girl, he biased them both, shook hands with Hannah and Reuben, and went away. He turned his steps towards the City Hall, with the intention of going into the court-room and comforting his soul by watching the son whom he durst not acknowledge. And as lie walked thither, how he envied humble Reuben Gray his parental happiness ! CHAPTER LXI. ENVY. Well! blot him black with slander’s ink, He stands as white as snow'! You servo him better than you think And kinder than you know; What ? is it not some credit then, That he provokes your blame? This merely, with nil better men, Is quite a kind of fame ! M. F. Tuiter. Mr Brudenell found lshmael in the anteroom ot the court m close conversation with a client, an elderly, care-worn woman m widow’s weeds. He caught a few words of herdiscourse, to which lshmael appeared to be listening with sympathy. ‘ Yes, sir, Maine ; we belong to Bangor. Ho went to California some years ago and made money. And he was on his way home and gob as far as this city, where he was taken ill with the cholera, at his brother’s house, where he died before I could get to him ; leaving three hundred thousand dollars, all in Californian gold, which his brother refuses to give up, denying all I knowledge of it. lb is robbery of the widow and orphan, sir, and nothing short of that!’ she was saying. ‘ If this is as you abate it, it would seem to be a case for a detective policeman and a criminal prosecution, rather than for an attorney and a civil suit,’ said lshmael. ‘ So it ought to be, sir, for he deserves punishment; but I have been advised to sue him and I mean to do it, if you will take my case. But if you do take it, sir, it must be on conditions.’ ‘ Yes. What are they ?’ ‘ Why, if you do not recover the money, you will not receive any pay ; but if you do recover the money, you will receive a very large share of it yourself, a compensation j for your services and your risk.’ |

* I cannot take your case on these terms, madam ; I cannot accept a conditional fee,’ said lshmael, gently. ‘Then what shall 1 do?’ exclaimed the widow bursting into tears.. |‘l have no money and shall nob have any until I get that! And how can I get that unless I sue for it ? Or how sue for it, unless you are willing to take the risk ? Do, sir, try it ! Id will be no risk, after all; you will bo sure to gain it!’ ‘lt is nob the risk that I object to, madam,’ said lshmael, very gently, ‘ but it is this :—to make my fee out of my case would appear to me a sorb of professional gambling from which I should shrink.’ ‘Then, Heaven help me, what shall I do?’ exclaimed the widow, weeping afresh. ‘Do not distress yourself. I will call and see you this afternoon, and if your case is what you represent it to be, I will undertake to conduct it,’ said lshmael ; and in that moment ho made up his mind that if ho should find the widow’s cause a just one, he would once more make a free offering of hia services. The new client thanked him, gave her address, and departed. lshmael turned to go into the court-room and found himself confronted with Mr Brudenell.

‘Good-morning, Mr Worth 1 I see you have another client already.'

‘A possible one, sir,’ roplied lshmael, smiling with satisfaction as he shook hands with Mr Brudenell.

‘ A poor one, you mean ! Poor widows with claims generally make a prey of young lawyers, who are supposed to be willing to plead for nothing, rather than nob plead at all ! And it is all very well as it gives the latter an opening. But you are not one of these briefless lawyers; you have already made your mark in the world, and so you must

not permit these female forlornities that haunt the courts to consume all your time and attention.’

‘ Sir,’ said lshmael, gravely and fervently, ‘ I owe so much to God—so much more than I can ever hope to pay, that at least I must show my gratitude to Him by working for His poor !—Do you not think that is only right, sir ?’ And lshmael looked into the face of this stranger, whom he had seen bub once before, with a singular longing for his approval. ‘ Yes ! I do ! my—l do, Mr Worth !’ replied Brudenell with emotion, as they entered the court-room together. Late that afternoon lshmael kept his appointment with the widow Cobham, and heir consultation ended in Ishmael’s acteptance of her brief. Other clients also came to him, and soon his hands were full of business. As the Supreme Court had risen, and Judge Merlin had little or no official husiness on hand, Ishmael’s position in his office was almost a sinecure, and therefore the young man delicately hinted to his employer the propriety of a separation between them. ‘iVo, lshmael! I cannot make up my mind to part with you yet. It is true, as you say, that there is bublittletodonow; but recollect that for months past there has been a great deal to do, and you have done about four times as much work for me as I was entitled to expect of you. So that now you have earned the right to stay on with me to the end of the year, without doing any work at all.’ * But, sir ’

‘Bub I won’t hear a word about your leaving us just yet, lshmael. I will hold you to your engagement, at least untiisthe first of June, when we all return bo Tanglewood ; then, if you wish it, of course I will release you, as your professional duties will require your presence in the city. But while we remain in town, I will not consent to your leaving us, nor release you from your engagement,’ said the judge. And lshmael was made happy by this decision. It had been a point of honour with him, as there was so little bo do, to offer to leave the judge’s employment; but now that the offer had been refused, and he was held to his engagement, he was very much pleased to find himself obliged to remain under the same roof with Claudia. Ah ! sweet and fatal intoxication of her presence ! He would nob willingly tear himself away from it. Meanwhile this pleasure was but occasional and fleeting. He seldom saw Claudia except at the dinner hour. Miss Merlin never gob up to breakfast with the family. Her life of fashionable dissipation was beginning to tell even on her youthful and vigorous constitution. Every evening she was out until a late hour, at some public ball, private party concert, theatre, lecture-room, or some other place ofamusement. Theconsequence was that she was alway too tired to rise and breakfast with the family, whom she seldom joined until the twoo’clock lunch. And at that hour lshmael was sure to be at court, where the case of Cobham versus Hanley, in which Mr Worth was counsel : for the plaintiff, was going on. At the six o’clock dinner he daily met her, as I said, but that was always in public. And immediately after coffee she would go out, attended by Mrs Middleton as chaperone and the Viscount Vincent as escort. And she would return long after lshmael had retired to his room, so that he would not see her again until the next day at dinner. And so the days wore on. Mr Brudenell remained the guest of Judge Merlin. A strange affection was growing up between him and lshmael Worth ! Brudenell understood the secret of this affection ; lshmael did nob. Tne father, otherwise childless, naturally loved the one gifted son of his youth, and loved him the more that he durst not acknowledge him. And lshmael, in his genial nature, loved in return the stranger who showed so much affectionate interest in him. No one perceived the likeness that was 6aid by the viscount to exist between the two except the viscount himself; and since he had seen them together he ceased to comment upon the subject. Reuben Gray and his family had returned home, so that Mr Brudenell got no farther opportunity of talking with Hannah.

The Washington season, prolonged by an extra session of Congress, was at length drawing to a close ; and it was finished off with a succession of very brilliant parties, lshmael Worth was now included in every invitation sent to the family of Judge Merlin, and in compliance with the urgent advice of the judge he accepted many of these invitations, and appeared in some of the most exclusive drawing-rooms in Washington, where his handsome person, polished manners, and distinguished talents made him welcome.

But none among these brilliant parties equalled in splendour the ball given early in the season by the Merlins. * And since no one has been able to eclipse my ball, I will eclipse it myself by a still more splendid one—a final grand display at the end of the season, like a final grand tableau at the close of a pantomime,’ said Claudia.

‘My dear, you will ruin yourself,’ expostulated Mrs Middleton. ‘My aunt, I shall be a viscountess,’ replied Miss Merlin. And preparations for the great party were immediately commenced. More than two hundred invitations were sent out. And the aid of the three great ministers of

fashion—Vourienne, Devizac and Dureezie —were called in, and each was furnished with a carte-blanche as to expenses. And as to squander the money of the prodigal heiress was to illustrate their own arts, they availed themselves of the privilege in the freest manner.

For a fow days the house was closed to visitors, and given up to suffer the will of the decorator Vourienne and his attendant magicians, who soon contrived to transform the sober mansion of the American judge into something very like the gorgeous palace of an Oriental prince. And as if they would nob be prodigal enough if left to themselves, Claudia continually interfered bo instigate them to new extravagances. Meanwhile nothing was talked of in fashionable circles but the approaching ball, and the novelties it was expected to develop. CHAPTER LXI. (Continued.) On the morning of the day, Vourienne and his imps having completed their fancy papering, painting and gilding, and put the finishing touches by festooning all the walls and ceilings, and wreathing all the gilded pillars, with a profusion of artificial flowers, at last evacuated the premises, just in time to allow Devizac and his army to march in for the purpose of laying for the feast. These forces held possession of the supper-room, kitchen and pantry for the rest of the evening, and prepared a supper which it would be vain to attempt to describe, since even the eloquent reporter of the ‘ Republican Court Journal ’ failed to do it justice. A little later in the evening, Dureezie anrl his celebrated troupe arrived armed with all the celebrated dances—waltzes, polkas, et cetera—then known, and one or two others composed expressly for this occasion. And, when they had taken their places, Claudia and her party came down into the front drawing-room to be ready to receive the com pany, On this occasion it was Miss Merlin’s whim to dress with exceeding richness. She wore a robe of dazzling splendour—a fabric of the looms of India, a sorb of gauze

of gold, that seemed to be composed of woven sunbeams, and floated gracefully around herelegant figure and accorded well with her dark beauty. The bodice of this gorgeous dress was literally starred with diamonds. A coronet of diamonds flashed above her black ringlets, a necklace of diamonds rested upon her full bosom, and bracelets of the same encircled her rounded arms. Such a glowing, splendid, refulgent figure as she presented suggested the idea of a Mohammedan Sultana rather than that of a Christian • maiden. Bub it was Miss Merlin’s caprice upon this occasion to dazzle, bewilder and astonish. Bee, who stood near her like a maid of honour to a queen, was dressed with her usual simplicity and taste, in a fine, white crepe, with a single white lily on her bosom. Mrs Middleton, standing also with Claudia, wore a robe of silver grey. And this pure white on one side and pale grey on the other did not bub heighten the effect of Claudia’s magnificent costume. The fashionable hour for assembling at evening parties was then ten o’clock. By a quarter-past ten the company began to arrive, and by eleven the rooms were quite full.

The Viscount Vincent arrived early and devoted himself to Miss Merlin, standing behind her chair like a lord in waiting. lshmael was also present with this group, ostensibly in attendance upon Beatrice, but really and truly waiting every turn of Claudia’s countenance or conversation.

While they were all standing, grouped in this way, to receive all comers, Judge Merlin approached, smiling:, and accompanied by an officer in the uniform of the United States army, whom he presented in these words:

‘ Claudia, my love, I bring you an old acquaintance—a very old acquaintance—Captain Burghe.’ Claudia bowed as haughtily and distantly as it was possible to do ; and then, without speaking, glanced inquiringly at her father as if to ask— ‘ How came this person here ?’ Judge Merlin replied to that mute question by saying : ‘ I was so lucky as to meet our young friend on the avenue to-day ; he is but just arrived. I told him what was going on here this evening and begged him to waive ceremony and come to us. And he was so good as to take me at my word ! Bee, my dear, don’t you remember your old playmate, Alfred Burghe?’ said the judge, appealing for relief to his amiable niece. Now, Bee was too kind-hearted to hurt anyone’s feelings, and yet boo truthful to make professions she did not feel. She could nob positively say that she was glad to see Alfred Burghe; but she could give him her hand and say : ‘ I hope that you are well, Mr Burghe.’ ‘ Captain ! Captain, my dear ! he commands a company now ! Lord Vincent, permit me —Captain Burghe.’ A haughty bow from the viscount and a reverential one from the captain acknowledged this presentation. Then Mrs Middleton kindly shook hands with the unwelcome visitor.

And finally Claudia unbent a little from her hauteur and condescended to address a few common-place romarks to him. But at length her eyes flashed around upon Ishmael standing behind Bee. ‘You are acquainted with Mr Worth, I presume, Captain Burghe?’ she inquired. * I have nob that honour,’ said Alfred Burghe, arrogantly. ‘ Then I will confer it upon you !’ said Claudia, very gravely. ‘Mr Worth, I hope you will permit me to present to you Captain Burghe. Captain Burghe, Mr Worth, of the Washington Bar.’ lshmael bowed with courtesy ; bub Alfred Burghe grew violently red in the face, and with a short nod, turned away. * Captain Burghe has a bad memory, my lord !’ said Claudia, turning to the viscount. ‘The gentleman to whom I have just presented him once saved his life at the imminent risk of his own ! It is true the affair happened long ago, when they were both boys, but it seems to me that if any one had exposed himself to a death by fire bo rescue me from a burning building, I should remember it to the latest day of my life.’

‘Pardon me, Miss Merlin. The circumstance to which you allude was beyond my control, and Mr—a—Word’s share in it without my consent; his service was, I believe, well repaid by my father; and the trouble with me is not that my memory is defective, bub rather that it is too retentive. I remember the origin of—’

* Our acquaintance ivith Mr Worth !’ interrupted Claudia, turning deadly pale and speaking in the low tones of suppressed passion. ‘ Yes, I know ! there was a stopped carriage, rifled hampers, and detected thieves. There was a young gentleman who dishonoured his rank, and a noble working boy who distinguished himself in that affair. I remember perfectly well the circumstances to which you refer.’ ‘ Y 7 ou mistake, Miss* Merlin,’ retorted Burghe, with a hob flush upon his brow, * I do not refer to that boyish frolic, for it was no more ! I refer to —’

*Mr Burghe, excuse me. Mr Worth, will you do me the favour to tell the band to strike up a quadrille ? Lord Vincent, I presume they expect us bo open the ball. Bee,

my dear, you are engaged to Mr Worth for

this sec. Be sure when he returns to come to theßameset with us and be our vis-a-vis,’ said Claudia, speaking rapidly. Before she had finished Ishmael had gone upon her errand, and the band struck up a lively quadrille. Claudia gave her hand to Lord Vincent, who led her to the head of the first set. When Ishmael returned, Bee gave him her hand and told him Claudia’s wish, which, of course, had all tho force of a command for him, and he immediately led Bee to the place opposite Lord Vincent and Miss Merlin.

And Captain Burghe was left to bite his nails in foiled malignity. But later in the evening he took his revenge and received his punishment. It happened in this manner: New quadrilles were being formed. Claudia was again dancing with Lord Vincent, and they had taken their places at the head of one of the sets. Ishmael was dancing with one of the poor neglected ‘ wall-fiowers ’ to whom Bee had kindly introduced him, and he led his partner to a vacant place at the foot of one of the sets ; he was so much engaged in trying to entertain the shy and awkward girl, that ho did not observe who was their vis-a-vis, or overhear the remarks that were made.

But Claudia, who, with the viscount, was standing very near, heard and saw all. She saw Ishmael lead his shy young partner up to the place in the set, exactly opposite to where Alfred Burghe with his partner, Miss Tourneysee, stood. And she heard Mr Burghe whisper to Miss Tourneysee : ‘Excuse me, and permit me to lead yon to a seat. The person who has just taken the place opposite to us is not a proper associate even for me, still less for you.’ And she saw Miss Tourneysee’s look of surprise and heard her low-toned oxclamation : ‘ Why, it is Mr Worth ! I have danced with him often !’ ‘I am sorry to hear it. I hope you will take the word of an officer and a gentleman that he is not a respectable person, and by no means a proper acquaintance for any lady.’ ‘ But why not ?’ ‘ Pardon me. I cannot tell you why not. It is not a story fit for your ears. But I will tell your father. For I think the real position of the fellow ought to be known. In the meantime, will you take my word for the truth of what I have said, and permit me to led you to a seat ?’ ‘Certainly, 5 said the young lady, trembling with distress. ‘I regret exceedingly to deprive you of your dance ; but you perceive that there is no other vacant place. 5 ‘ Oh, don’t mention it! Find me a seat. 5 This low-toned conversation, every word of which had been overheard by Claudia, who, though in another set, stood nearly back to back with the speaker, was entirely lost to Ishmael, who stood at the foot of the same set with him, but was at a greater distance, and was besides quite absorbed in the task of reassuring his timid school-girl companion. Just aa Burghe turned to lead his partner away, and Ishmael, attracted by the movement, lifted his eyes to see the cause, Claudia gently drew Lord Vincent after her, and going up to the retiring couple said : * Miss Tourneysee, I beg your pardon ; but will you and your partner do myself and Lord Vincent the favour to exchange places with us ? We particularly desire to form a part of this set.’ ‘ Oh, certainly !’ said the young lady, wondering, but rejoiced to find that she should not be obliged to miss the dance. They exchanged places accordingly ; but as lliey still stood very near together, Claudia heard him whisper to his partner : ‘ This evening I think I shall speak to your father and some other gentlemen and enlighten them as to who this fellow really is !’ Claudia heard all this ; but commanded herself. Her face was pale as marble ; her lips were bloodless ; but her dark eyes had the terrible gleam of suppressed hatred ! In such moods as hers, people have sometimes planned murder. However, she went through all the four dances very composedly. And when they weie over and Lord Vincent had led her to a seat, she sent him to fetch her a glass of water, while she kept her eye on, the movements of Captain Burghe, until she saw him deposit his partner on a sofa, and leave her to fetch a cream, or some such refreshment. And then Claudia arose, drank the ice-

water brought her by the viscount, set the empty glass on a stand, and requested Lord Yincent to give her his arm down the room, as she wished to speak to Captain Burghe. The viscount glanced at her in surprise, saw that her face was bloodless; but ascribed her pallor to fatigue. Leaning on Loi’d Vincent’s arm, she went down the whole length of the room until she paused before the sofa on which sat Miss Tournevsee and several other ladies, attended by General Tournevsee, Captain Burghe and other gentlemen.

Burghe stood in front of the sofa, facing the ladies and with his back towards Claudia, of whose approach he was entirely ignorant, as he discoursed as follows : ‘ Quito unfit to be received in respectable society, I assure you, General ! Come of a wretchedly degraded set, the lowest of the low, upon my honour. This fellow— ’

Claudia touched his shoulder with the end of her fan.

Alfred Burghe turned sharply around and confronted Miss Merlin, and on meeting her eyes grew as pale as she was herself.

‘Captain Burghe, 1 she said, modulating her voice to low and courteous tones, * you have had the misfortune to malign one of our most esteemed friends, at present a member of our household. I regret this accident exceedingly, as it puts me under the painful necessity of requesting you to leave the house with as little delay as possible !’ ‘ Miss Merlin—!—ma’am 1’ began the captain, crimsoning with shame and rage. ‘ You have heard my request, sir ! I have no more to say but to wish you a very good-evening, 1 said Claudia, as with a low and sweeping curtsey she turned away. Passing near the hall where the f Ptmen waited, she spoke to one of them, saying : ’ Powers, attend that gentleman to the front door.’

All this was done so quietly that Alfred Burghe was able to slink from the room unobserved by anyone except the little group around the sofa whom he had been entertaining with his calumnies. To them he had muttered that he would have satisfaction ! That he would call Miss Merlin’s father to a severe account for the impertinence of his daughter, et cetera. But the consternation produced by these threats was soon dissipated. The band struck up an alluring waltz, and Lord Vincent claimed the hand of Beatrice, and Ishmael, smiling, radiant and unsuspicious, came in search of Miss Tourneysee, who accepted his hand for the dance without an instant’s hesitation.

‘Doyou know’—inquired Miss Tourneysee, with a little curiosity to ascertain whether there was any mutual enmity between Burghe and Ishmael— * Do you know who that Captain Burghe is that danced the last quadrille with me ?’ „ Yes ; be is the son of the late Commodore Burghe, who was a gallant officer, a veteran of 1828, and did good service during the last War of Independence,’ said

Ishmael, generously, uttering not one word against his implacable foe. Miss Tourneysee looked at him wistfully and inquired : ‘ Is the son as good a man as the father V * I have not known Captain Burghe since we were at school together.’ *I do not like him. Ido not think he is a gentleman, 5 said Miss Tourneysee. Ishmael did nob reply. It was nob his way to speak even deserved evil of the absent.

But Miss Tourneysee drew a mental comparison between the meanness of Alfred’s conduct and the nobility of Ishmael’s. And the dance succeeded tho conversation. Claudia remained sitting on the sofa beside Mrs Middleton, until at the closeofthe dance, when she was rejoined by the viscount, who did nob leave her again during the evening. The early summer nights were short, and so it was near the dawn when the company separated. The party as a whole had been the most splendid success of tho season.

CHAPTER LXII. FOILED MALICE. Through good report and ill report, The true man goes his way. Nor condescends to pay his court To what the vile may say Ay, bo the scandal what they will, And whisper what they please, They do but fan his glory still By whistling up a breeze. Jtf. F. Tuitek. The family slept late next day, and tho breakfast was pub back to the luncheon hour, when at length they all, with one exception, assembled around the table. * Where is Mr Worth ? 5 inquired the judge. ‘ He took a cup of coffee and went to the oourb-houseac the usual hour, sir, 5 returned Powers, who was setting tho coffee on the table.

‘ Humph ! that hotly-contested case of Cobham versus Hanley still in progress, I suppose, 5 said the judge. At this moment Sam entered the break-fast-room and laid a card on the table before 1113 master.

‘Eh ? “ Lieutenant Springald, U. S. A. ?” Who the mischief is he ?’ said the judge, reading the name on the card. ‘ The gentleman, sir, says he has called to see you on particular business, 5 replied Sam.

‘ This is a pretty time to come on busi ness 1 Show him into my office, Sam, 5

The servant withdrew to obey,

The judge addressed himself to his breakfast and the conversation turned upon the party of the preceding evening. ‘ I wonder what became of Burghe ? He disappeared very early in the evening, 5 said Judge Merlin, ‘I burned him out of doors, 5 answered Claudia, coolly. The judge set down his cofiee-cup and stared at his daughter. ‘He deserved it, papa ! And nothing on earth bub my sex prevented me from giving him a thrashing as well as a discharge,’said Claudia.

‘ What lias he done V 5 inquired the father.) Claudia told him the whole.

‘ Well, my dear, you did right, though I am sorry that there should have been any necessity for dismissing him. Degenerate son of a noble father, will nothing reform him ?’ was the comment of the judge. Mr Brudenell, who was present and had heard Claudia’s account, was reflecting bitterly upon the consequences of bis own youthful fault of haste, visited so heavily in unjust reproach upon the head of his faultless son.

* Well!’ said the judge, rising from the table, * now I will go and see what the deuce is wanted of me by Lieutenant— Spring —Spring—Spring chicken, or whatever his name is !’

He went upstairs and found seabed in his office a beardless youth in uniform, who arose and saluted him, saying, as be handed a folded note :

‘ I have the honour to be the bearer of a challenge, sir, from my friend and superior officer, Captain Burghe.’ ‘ A —what ?’ demanded the judge, with a frown as black as a thunder-cloud and a voice sharp as its clap, which made the little officer jump from his feet. ‘ A challenge, sir !’ repeated the latter, as soon as he had composed himself. ‘ Why, what the deuce do you mean by bringing a challenge to me ? breaking the law under the very nose of an officer of the law ?’ said the judge, snatching the note and tearing it open. When he had read it he looked sternly at the messenger and said :

* Why, don’t you know it is my solemn duty to have you arrested and sent to prison, for bringing me this, eh ?’ * Sir ’ —began the little fellow, drawing his figure up, ‘ men of honour never resort to such subterfuges to evade the conseciuences of their own acts.’

‘Hold your tongue, child! You know nothing about what you are talking of. Men of honour are notduellists, but peaceable and law-abiding citizens. Don’t be frightened, my brave little bantam ! I won’t have you arrested this time ; but I will answer your heroic principal instead. Let us see again—what is it he says?’ And the judge sat down at his writingtable and once more read over the challenge. It ran thus: [Mansion House, Friday. Judge Merlin: Sir,—l have been treated with the grossest contumely by your daughter, Miss Claudia Merlin. I demand an ample apology from the young lady.or in default of that tlie satisfaction of a gentleman from yourself. In the event of the first alternative offered being chosen, my friend, Lieutenant Springald, the bearer of this, is authorised to accept in my be. half all proper apologies that may be tendered, Grin the event of the second alternative offered being chosen, I must request that you will refer my friend to any friend of yours, that they may arrange together the terms of our hostile meeting. I have the honour to be, etc., Alfred Burghe. Judge Merlin smiled grimly as he laid this precious communication aside and took up his pen to reply to it. His answer ran as follows: Washington House, Friday. Captain Alfred Burghe:— My daughter, Mias Merlin, did perfectly right, and I fully endorse her act. Therefore, the first alternative offered—of making you the apology you demand—is totally inadmissible; but I accept the second one of giving you the satisfaction you require. The friend to whom I refer your friend is Deputy Marshal Browning, who will be prepared to take you both into custody. And the weapons with which I shall meet you will be the challenge that you have sent me and a warrant for your arrest. Hoping that this course may give perfect satisfaction, I have the honor to be, etc., Randolph Merlin. Judge Merlin carefully folded and directed this note and put it into the hands of the little lieutenant, saying, pleasantly : ‘ There, my child! There you are ! Take that to your principal,’ The little fellow hesitated. ‘I hope, sir, that this contains a perfectly satisfactory apology ?’ he said, turning it around in his fingers. * Oh, perfectly ! amply ! We shall hear no more of the challenge.’ ‘ I am very glad, sir,’ said the little lieutenant, rising. ‘ Won’t you have something before you go?’ The lieuterfant hesitated.

‘ Shall I ring for the maid to bring you a slice of bread and butter and a cup of milk ?’

‘No, thank you, sir!’ said Springald, with a look of offended dignity. ‘ \ ery well, then ; you must give my respects to your papa and mamma, and ask them to let you come and play with little Bobby and Tommy Middleton ! They are nice little boys !’ said the judge, so very kindly that the little lieutenant, though hugely affronted, scarcely knew in what manner to resent the affront. * Good-day, sir !’ he said, with a vast assumption of dignity, as he strutted toward the door.

‘ Good-day, my little friend. You seem an innocent little fellow enough. Therefore I hope that you will never again be led into the sinful folly of carrying a challenge to fight a duel, especially to a grey-headed chief justice. 5 And so saying, Judge Merlin bowed his visitor out.

And it is scarcely necessary to say that Judge Merlin heard no more of ‘ the satisfaction of a gentleman. 5

The story, however, srot out, and Captain Burghe and his second were so mercilessly laughed at that they voluntarily shortened their own furlough and speedily left Washington. The remainder of that week the house was again closed to company, during the process of dismantling the reception-rooms of their festive decorations and restoring them to their ordinarily sober aspect. By Saturday afternoon this transformation was effected, and the household felt themselves at home again. Early that evening Ishmael joined the family circle perfectly radiant with good news.

‘What is it, Ishmael?’ inquired the judge. ‘ Well, sir, the hard-fought battle is over at length, and we have the victory ! The case of Cobham versus Hanley is decided ! The jury came into court this afternoon with a verdict for the plaintiff !’ ‘ Good !’ said the judge. ‘ And the widow and children get their money ! lam so glad !’ said Bee, who had kept herself posted up in the progress oi the great suit by reading the reports in the daily papers. ‘ Yes, but how much money will you get, Ishmael? 5 inquired the judge. ' None, sir, on this case. A conditional fee that I was bo make out of my case was offered me by the plaintiff in the first instance, but of course I could not speculate in justice. 5 ‘ Humph ! well, there are two great cases which you have gained, and which ought to have brought you at least a thousand dollars, and which have brought you nothing !’ ‘ Nob exactly nothing, uncle ; they have brought him fame,' said Bee. ‘ Fame is all very well, but money is better, 5 said the judge. ‘ The money will come also in good time, uncle ; never you fear. Ishmaei has placed his capital out at good interest, and with the best security.’ ‘ What do you mean, Bee ?’ ‘ “ Whoso giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord.” Ishmael’s services, given to the poor, are lent to the Lord,’ said Bee, reverently. ‘ Humph ! humph ! humph !’ muttered the judge, who never ventured to carry on an argument when the Scripture was quoted against him. ‘ Well! I suppose it is all right. And now I hear that you are counsel for that poor devil Toomey, who fell through the grating of Sarsfleld’s cellar, and crippled himself for life.’ ‘ Yes,’ said Ishmael. ‘ I think he is entitled to heavy damages. It was criminal carelessness in Sarsfield and Company to leave their cellar grating in that unsafe condition for weeks, to the great peril of tho passers-by. It was a regular trap for lives and limbs. And this poorlabcurer, passing over it, has fallen and lamed himself for life ! And he has a large family depending upon him for support. I have laid the damages at five thousand dollars.’ ‘ Yes ; but how much do you get ?’ * Nothing. As in the other two cases, my client is nob able to pay me a retaining fee, and it is against my principles to accept a contingent one.’ ‘ Humph ! that makes three “free, gratis, for nothing ” labours ! I wonder how long it will be before the money cases begin to come on ?’ inquired the judge, a little sarcastically. ‘ Oh, not very long,’ smiled Ishmael. * I have already received several retaining fees from clients who are able bo pay, but whose cases may nob come on until the next term. 5

* But when does poor Toomey’s case come on ?’ ‘ Monday.’ At that moment the door opened and Powers announced : * Lord Vincent !’

The viscount entered the drawing-room ; and Ishmael’s pleasure was oyer for that evening.

On Monday Ishmael’s third case, Toomey versus Sarsfield, came on. It lasted several days, and then was decided in favour of the plaintiff—Toomey receiving every dollar of the damages claimed for him by his attorney. In his gratitude the poor man would have pressed a large sum of mony, even to one-fifth of his gains, upon his young counsel; but Ishmael, true to his principle of never gambling in justice, refused to take a dollar.

Judge Merlin issued a proclamatian that his servants should pack up all his effects, preparatory to a migration to Tanglewood : for that chains should not bind ,him to Washington any longer, nor wild horses draw him to Saratoga or any other place of public resort; because his very soul was sick ef crowds and longed for the wilderness. But the son of Powhatan was destined to find that circumstances are often stronger than those forces that he defied. And so his departure from Washington was delayed for weeks by this event. One morning the Viscount Vincen 6 called as usual, and, after a prolonged pri' vate interview with Miss Merlin he sent a message to Judge Merlin, requesting to see him alone for a few minutes. Ishmael was seated with Judge Merlin in the study at the moment Powers brought this message. .‘Ah ! “Lord Vincent requests the honour of a private interview ” with me, does he ? Well, it is what I have been expecting for some days ! Wonder if he does not think he is conferring an honour instead of receiving one ? Ask him to be so good as to walk up, Powers. Ishmael, my dear boy, excuse me for dismissingyou for a fewminutes; but pray return to me as eoon as this Lord —“Foppington ” —leaves me. May Satan fly away with him, for I know he is coming to ask for my girl !’ ° It was well that Ishmael happened to be sitting with his back to the window. It was well that Judge Merlin did not look up as his young partner passed out, else he would have seen the haggard countenance which would have told him more eloquently than words could of the force of the blow that had fallen on Ishmael’s heart. He went up in his own little room, and sat down at his desk, and leaning his brow upon his hand, struggled with the anguish that wrung his heart.

{Tobe continued,)