"I am glad to hear you say that, whether it is true or not. I wish you to live many years, and to take the rest to which a long and laborious life entitles you. I will show you Captain Bodine's letter if you wish." "Well, let me see what the rebel has to say for himself." "Humph!" Mr. Houghton ejaculated, finishing the letter. "What did you say in reply?" George repeated the substance of his note. "And nothing has passed between him, his daughter, or you since?" "Nothing whatever." "I suppose by this time that little gust of passion, inspired by the daughter's pretty face, has passed?" and he looked at his son keenly. "It would have passed, father, if it had been only a gust of passion, and inspired merely by a pretty face." "Humph! Do you mean to say that you love her still?" "I cannot control my heart, only my actions." "You will give her up then, since it is my wish?" "I cannot give up loving her, father. If I had drowned and gone to another world I feel that I would have carried my love with me." There was another long silence, and then Mr. floughton said, "But you will control your action?" "My action, father, shall be guided by most considerate loyalty to you." "But you will not promise never to marry her?" "It is true, indeed, that I may never marry her, for I have no reason whatever to think that she cares for me in any such way as I do for her. As long as her father felt as he did, I could not approach her. As long as you feel as you do, I cannot seek her, but to give her up deliberately would be doing violence to the best in my nature. I know my love is the same as that which you had for mother, and God would punish a man who tried to put his foot on such a love. I feel that it would keep me from the evil of the world." "The first thing you know, George, you will be wishing that I am dead." "No, father, no!" his son cried impulsively. "You would do me wicked wrong in thinking that. A foolish, guilty passion might probably lead to such thoughts, but not a pure, honest love, which prompts to duty in every relation in life. I can carry out your every plan for me without bolstering myself by marrying wealth and position. My self-respect revolts at the idea. A woman that I loved could aid me far more than the wealthiest and highest born in the land. I believe that in time you will see these things as I cannot help seeing them. Until then I can be patient. I certainly will not jeopardize your health by doing what is contrary to your wishes. Don't you think we had better drop the subject for the present?" "Yes, I think we had," said Mr. Houghton sadly, but without any appearance of irritation. CHAPTER XXXVIII "YES, VILET"