“It appears to me, in looking back on the past, Gomer, that--a--that you have exercised a considerable, I might say a very considerable influence over my actions, and have directed generally the course of my inclinations, a--a--and my intentions. Even now, a--though disclaiming such purpose, it seems to me that you are occupied--I--a--should say, actively occupied in forcing me to swallow a potion most repugnant to--a--to--to my nature, seeking to impel me by honeyed words concerning the good which a--a--must result from my acquiescence--a. Stay, don’t interrupt me now. I would fain acknowledge that you have hitherto shown the greatest interest in my personal affairs; that, I say, I think is undoubtedly clear. It is also plain and undeniable that your--a--um--your interference hitherto has been attended with the best possible result; that I admit. It might in the present instance--I say it might--I am by no means supposed to think it would, but it might operate beneficially if it succeeded in making me believe that it would be at least proper to bestow the hand of my daughter upon Mr. Vivian. But before I consent to re-open the case, and listen to a repetition of your arguments, be good enough to tell me who you are, and explain to me why you, a comparative stranger--merely the landlord of a house I once inhabited--should have mixed yourself up with my affairs, and now take upon yourself to direct me in the disposal of my children in marriage.” Nathan Gomer rubbed his hands briskly over his chin and mouth, and champed with his teeth, as though his tongue and lips were parched. Presently he spoke; his voice grated harshly at first. “Ha! ha! very true,” he said, with a grim chuckle; “I never reflected upon that very grave consideration---my title to interfere in your affairs; it did not occur to me, I grant you I have been impertinent, officious. I ought to have left you to--no no”--he checked himself with a sudden dignity--“I must not permit myself to be betrayed into a weakness. Mr. Wilton, you have smitten me on one cheek; before I permit you to smite the other, I will inform you who I am, not at this moment, but at the proper time. It will come to your ears with sufficient speed when it does come. Farewell.” “Hem--a--Gomer--stay!” cried Wilton, hurriedly. But Gomer was gone. The old man would have followed him, but a servant entered the library, followed by the Honorable Lester Vane. Vane was dressed with studied elegance; his garb was in the highest style of fashion, and fitted him to perfection. Having quite recovered his health, of which, recently, he had purposely taken the greatest possible care, he looked, as he walked with an elevated gait--affected, and acquired by practice--a very handsome and polished specimen of the aristocracy.