"This affliction has necessarily prevented her from keeping that watch over her daughter which is a mother's loving duty, and of this affliction your client's son has taken a base advantage. You speak of the pride of race as affecting Lord Storndale. We have also that pride, and if we were so far forgetful of the obligations of our faith as to admit your client's son into our family it is upon him and upon Lord Storndale, not upon us, that honor would have been conferred. Such an alliance will never, with my sanction, be entered into, and I will endeavor to guard my daughter from the peril with which she is threatened." Mr. Dillworthy, having obtained his point, wisely dropped the subject. He briefly expressed his obligations to Aaron, and rose to take his departure. Before he reached the door, however, he turned, and in a tone of courteous deference asked if Mr. Cohen could spare him a few moments more. Aaron assenting, the lawyer resumed his seat, and taking a pocketbook from his pocket, searched in it for a letter. CHAPTER XXXI. THE SPIRIT OF THE DEAD PAST. Aaron observed him anxiously. The disclosure that had already been made had so unnerved him that he was apprehensive of further trouble. "Ah, here it is," said the lawyer, opening the letter for which he had been looking. "I was afraid I had left it behind me. Excuse me a moment; I wish to refresh my memory." He ran his eye over the letter, and nodded as he went through its points of importance. "Does it concern the unhappy affair we have discussed"? inquired Aaron, unable to restrain his impatience. "No," replied the lawyer; "I take it that is settled, and I trust, for the sake of both the families, that it will not be reopened." "I trust not."