“If you will only talk to him for ten minutes he will remove your scruples,--satisfy you that all is as it should be,” asserted Mrs. Sutton, more confidently to him than herself. “I trust it will be as you say--but credulity is not my besetting sin. I am ready to see the gentleman at any hour you and he may see fit to appoint.” “I will send MR. CHILTON to you at once, then.” Mrs. Sutton collected the scattering remnants of hope and resolution, that she might deal a parting shot. “Winston is an AWFUL trial to my temper, although he never loses his own,” she was wont to soliloquize, in the lack of a confidante to whom she could expatiate upon his eccentricities and general untowardness. His marked avoidance of Frederic's name in this conference savored to her of insulting meaning. She had rather he had coupled it with opprobious epithets whenever he referred to him, than spoken of him as “this” or “that gentleman.” If he took this high and chilly tone, with Mabel's wooer, there was no telling what might be the result of the affair. “Don't mind him if he is stiff and uncompromising for a while,” she enjoined upon Frederic, in apprising him of the seignior's readiness to grant him audience, “It is only his way, and he is Mabel's brother.” “I will bear the latter hint in mind,” rejoined the young man, with the gay, affectionate smile he often bestowed upon her. “I don't believe he can awe me into resignation of my purpose, or provoke me into dislike of the rest of the family.” Mabel was in her aunt's room, plying her with queries, hard to be evaded, touching the tenor and consequences of her recent negotiations, when a servant brought a message from her brother. She was wanted in the study. The girl turned very white, as she prepared to obey, without an idea of delay or of refusal. “O Auntie! what if he should order me to give Frederic up!” she ejaculated, pausing at the door, in an agony of trepidation. “I never disobeyed him in my life.” “He will not do that, dear, never fear! He can find no pretext for such summary proceedings. And should he oppose your wishes, be firm of purpose, and do not forsake your affianced husband,” advised the old lady, solemnly. “There is a duty which takes precedence, in the sight of Heaven and man, of that you owe your brother. Remember this, and take courage.” Mabel's roses returned in profusion, when, upon entering the arbiter's dread presence, she saw Frederic Chilton, standing on the opposite side of the table from that at which sat her brother at his ease, his white fingers still idly interlaced, his pale patrician face emotionless as that of the bust of Apollo upon the top of the bookcase behind him. It was Frederic who led her to a chair, when she stopped, trembling midway in the apartment, and his touch upon her arm inspirited her to raise her regards to Winston's countenance at the sound of his voice.