"Thank you, my boy! I was just feeling the want of your friendly arm. My limbs are apt to grow tired of walking before my eyes are satiated with gazing or my mind with reflecting on the beauty of the summer evening," said Mr. Middleton, slipping his arm within that of Ishmael. "Sir," said the young man, blushing slightly, "a selfish motive has brought me to your side this afternoon." "A selfish motive, Ishmael! I do not believe that you are capable of entertaining one," smiled Mr. Middleton. "Indeed, yes, sir; you will say so when you hear of it." "Let me hear of it, then, Ishmael, for the novelty of the thing." The young man hesitated for a few moments and then said: "Mr. Middleton--Mr. Brudenell has, I believe, put you in possession of the facts relative to my birth?" "Yes, my dear Ishmael; but let me assure you that I did not need to be told of them. Do you remember the conversation we had upon the subject years ago? It was the morning after the school party when that miserable craven, Alfred Burghe, disgraced himself by insulting you. You said, Ishmael, 'My mother was a pure and honorable woman! Oh, believe it!' I did believe it then, Ishmael; for your words and tones and manner carried irresistible conviction to my mind. And every year since I have been confirmed in my belief. You, Ishmael, are the pledge of your parents' honor as well as of their love. 'Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles,'" said Mr. Middleton earnestly. "And yet, sir, I have suffered and may again suffer reproach that neither myself nor my parents deserved," said Ishmael gravely. "You never will again, Ishmael. You have overcome the world." "Thank you! thank you, sir! I purposely reminded you of this old injustice. You do not regard me the less for having suffered it?" "The less! No, my boy; but the more, for having overcome it!" "Again I thank you from the depths of my heart. You have known me from boyhood, Mr. Middleton; and you may be said to know my character and my prospects better than anyone else in the world does; better, even, than I know them myself." "I think that quite likely to be true." "Well, sir, I hope in a few years to gain an established reputation and a moderate competency by my practice at the bar." "You will gain fame and wealth, Ishmael." "Well, sir, if ever by the blessing of Heaven I do attain these distinctions, taking everything else into consideration, would you, sir, would you then--" "What, Ishmael? Speak out, my boy?" "Accept me as a son?" "Do you want me to give you Bee?" gravely inquired Mr. Middleton. "When I shall be more worthy of her, I do." "Have you Bee's consent to speak to me on this subject?" "No, sir; I have not yet addressed Miss Middleton. I could not venture to do so without your sanction. It is to obtain it that I have come to you this evening. I would like very much to have an understanding with Miss Middleton before we part for an indefinite time."