"Oh, father, do not sacrifice me to your revenge," she cried, wildly. "Remember that I am your own child. I should be dearer to you than your revenge. Oh! for mercy's sake, make terms with the wretch, and save me from his wicked vengeance." Mr. Chesleigh did not even notice her. He stood with folded arms and curling lips awaiting his enemy's reply. The sullen determination on John Glenalvan's face softened as she continued her anxious pleading. "Father, I cannot live if that wretched story becomes known," she wailed. "If you do not save me I shall drown myself." A slight shudder convulsed his frame at the words. He looked down at the frightened, tear-wet face. "Elinor," he said, "if I have to sacrifice my revenge for your sake, I shall hate you every moment of your future life." "Anything but exposure," she wailed. "Oh, father, save me." His dark brow lowered like a thunder cloud. "So be it," he said, "but, mark me, girl, I shall hate you forever after." "Then you will speak?" Bertram Chesleigh cried, gladly. John Glenalvan hesitated a moment, then answered, gloomily: "Yes, to save that wretched girl I will reveal the secret that has been locked in my breast for sixteen years." CHAPTER XLVII. There was a moment's silence, then Bertram Chesleigh said, quickly: "Come with me, Mr. Glenalvan. Let the secret you have kept so long be revealed in the hearing of your father and Richard Leith." The guilty man recoiled from the demand. He said, hoarsely: "I refuse to do so. I will reveal it to you, and you may bear the news yourself to them." Bertram Chesleigh considered the reply a moment, then answered, firmly. "I prefer that they should hear it from your own lips." John Glenalvan regarded him with furious eyes. "You wish to humble me all you can," he said. "Not so," replied Mr. Chesleigh. "But I consider that they have too decided a right to hear your confession, for me to exclude them from this momentous interview." The angry man regarded him silently a moment, then said, with a sigh of baffled rage: "So be it. I am not now in a position to dictate terms, and must obey your will. You swear to keep Elinor's secret if I do this thing?" "Yes," Bertram answered. "I am ready to accompany you, then. Elinor," he turned a furious gaze on his daughter who was weeping nervously near the door; "go to your mother, now. Tell her that you have ruined all my plans, and that I forever curse the hour in which you were born." She turned away, casting one last look of fiery anger and hatred on the man she had tried to murder, and left the room. The two men went down together to Richard Leith's room. The lawyer was sitting up in an easy-chair, talking to old Hugh Glenalvan who occupied a chair near the window. They both looked up in surprise at the unexpected sight of John Glenalvan, whom they had supposed to be far away in hiding somewhere. Bertram spoke at once, quietly: