“Why should he do that? It would be very unjust!” said Rosalie, raising her eyebrows with surprise. “It would be unnatural! monstrous! My guardian, Mark’s own uncle! Oh! surely, having discarded him, he will not pursue him with persecutions.” “_Will he not?_” “No, I will never believe it!” “He will fill up the measure of his animosity—believe that! Clement Sutherland did not appear at the breakfast table this morning. Can you not surmise the cause? He has many bad reasons for hating his nephew. He hates him for his political opinions, for his principles, and, more than all, for having had the power to give up the beautiful India. Clement Sutherland worships his beautiful daughter; and he hates Mark for not having laid upon her shrine the most precious jewel of his soul—his integrity. And now, with the opposition of your guardian, who is invested with such power over your fortune, what have you to expect in giving yourself to Mark Sutherland?” “I do not know; I shall leave it all to Mark. It is no conditional promise I have given him—no halffaith I have pledged him. I have given him the full and complete control of my destiny. I could not help it. All that was within me—heart, and soul, and spirit—sprang to him when he called me. Mamma, it is a word often abused, but at this moment my soul throws it irresistibly upon my lips—I _adore_ Mark! And now, amidst opposition, persecution, desertion, he must know that there is one who will follow wherever he leads—one heart that will cleave to him, in joy and in sorrow, in life and in death.” At that very instant the boy brought the mail-bag, intruded upon them, and handed Mrs. Vivian a letter. As soon as her glance fell upon the superscription, her face flushed to the forehead, and, for the moment forgetful of Rosalie, she hastened to read it. While this confidential conversation was going on between the young step-mother and her daughter, another scene, portentous with fate, transpired in the study of Colonel Ashley. As that gentleman was leaving the breakfast-room, a message was brought him from Mr. Clement Sutherland, desiring the favour of a few moments’ private conversation with him. Colonel Ashley returned word that he would be pleased to see Mr. Sutherland in his study. Thither he immediately proceeded, and thither soon followed his guest. Clement Sutherland entered, with a forbidding and foreboding scowl upon his brow. Colonel Ashley instantly arose, set a chair, and invited him to be seated. Clement Sutherland, without unbending the sternness of his features, bowed, and sat down. “I trust you are in good health this morning, Mr. Sutherland,” said the Colonel, urbanely. “I am well, sir,” replied his guest, coldly. “I was sorry to miss you at the breakfast table this morning. I trust my little girl made you comfortable in your own apartment?” “Thank you, sir.”