“She came over as governess with a family, in the same steamer with myself.” “How does it happen that they did not retain her—that she left them to be companion to a woman like Lady Ruxley?” demanded his lordship, his face beginning to grow stern and set. Adrian colored vividly. He knew it did not sound well, but he was truth itself, and replied: “She was ill-treated and insulted—in fact, was accused of taking that which did not belong to her.” “Enough, sir! No person with any such record can ever become allied to my family!” burst forth Lord Dunforth, rising from his chair in wrath. “But, sir, let me explain——” “No, sir!” he thundered; “not another word! I am astonished and disappointed in you, Adrian, that you could so demean yourself as to desire to marry any one so far beneath you!” “She is not beneath me,” began the indignant lover, hotly. “Not another word, Adrian, if you please, on the subject, unless you wish to incur my stern displeasure. You, the future Earl of Dunforth, marry a person accused of theft! Never!” and he paced the floor, with angry strides. Suddenly he wheeled upon his grandson, and demanded: “May I ask, have you made proposals to this very estimable person?” “I have, my lord.” The manly eyes blazed dangerously at this almost insulting question, while his hands worked nervously at the biting sarcasm of his grandfather’s words. “Fool!” “Sir!” “You’re a fool, I say!” The two men glared at each other furiously for a moment. Then Adrian, growing very pale, moved a step or two back, and said, in a quiet, though concentrated voice: “Then I am to understand that you refuse your consent to my marrying?” “I do, most emphatically refuse to allow you to marry any such doubtful person as Lady Ruxley’s companion appears to be. Shame upon you stooping so low!” “Then, my Lord Dunforth, listen to me,” Adrian said, flushing angrily, and drawing his proud form to its fullest height. “I love this gentle girl with my whole heart; I have told her so, and I have asked her to be my wife. I am of age, and, sir, I shall marry her!” Lord Dunforth suddenly wheeled about, and came forward with rapid strides. The two proud men stood looking steadfastly into each other’s eyes for a moment, and each read there a determination never to yield. “Then you are no longer a child of mine!” whispered the irate lord, hoarsely, his whole frame shaking from anger, disappointment, and mortification. “Grandfather,” returned Adrian, sadly, “you know I love you, and would gladly do anything in reason to please you; but the happiness of two lives is at stake, and in this matter I must choose for myself.” There was a note of quiet determination in his voice, albeit it was so sad, which told the other that he meant every word he uttered. “Then choose for yourself,” he cried, almost beside himself with grief and mortified pride, “and choose beggary with your wife, for not one shilling from the Dunforth coffers shall you ever touch!”