'Stay; you owe me an explanation.' 'Hands off!' cried George, in a dangerous tone, and a fierce gleam in his eyes. 'Hands off, you sneaking dog! I owe you an explanation, do I? I will give it to you when we are alone. Think what kind of explanation it will be when I tell you beforehand that you are a false, lying hound! Take care of yourself when next we meet.' Every nerve in George's body quivered with passion and pain. 'You can't frighten me with bluster,' said young Mr. Million, who was no coward, 'although you may try to frighten ladies with it. As my presence here is likely to cause farther pain to a lady whom I esteem'--with a respectful look towards Bessie, which caused George to press his nails into his palms--'I will take my leave, unless Mr. Sparrow wishes me to stay as a protection to him and his granddaughter.' 'No, sir; I thank you,' replied Ben Sparrow sorrowfully. 'George Naldret can do my child no more harm than he has done already.' 'Then I will go;' and he moved towards the door, 'first saying, however, that I tried to be this man's friend--'indicating George with a contemptuous motion of his hand, and repeating, 'that I tried to be his friend----' 'You lie!' cried George. '--Thinking,' continued young Mr. Million, with quiet disdain, 'that he was better than others of his class. But I was mistaken. Mr. Sparrow, you exonerate me from all blame in what has taken place?' 'Entirely, sir,' said Ben Sparrow, in a sad and troubled voice. 'I wish you and your grandchild good-day, then, and leave my hearty sympathy behind me.' With these words, and with a triumphant look at George, the idle young dog took his departure. Then, after a brief pause, George said: 'I have nothing more to stop for now.' And, with a look of misery, was about to depart, when Tottie ran to his side, and plucking him by the coat, looked up into his face. 'Don't go,' said Tottie; 'stop and play.' 'I can't, my dear,' said George, raising the child in his arms and kissing her. 'I _must_ go. Goodbye, little one.'--He set the child down; tears were coming to his eyes, but he kept them back. 'One moment, George Naldret,' said old Ben Sparrow, trying to be dignified, but breaking down. 'George--my dear George--what is the meaning of this?' 'I have no explanation to give, Mr. Sparrow,' replied George sadly. 'George, my dear boy, think for a moment! Are you right in what you are doing? Look at my darling, George; look----' 'Grandfather!' [Illustration] The word came from Bessie's white lips; but the voice, struggling through her agony, sounded strange in their ears. The word, however, was sufficient; it carried its meaning in it; it told her grandfather not to beg for her of any man. 'You are right, my darling,' he sobbed; 'you are right. But neither of you will speak, and I am almost distracted. You are not going abroad then, George?' 'No, Mr. Sparrow; I have no need to go now.'