"Captain McElvina, I thank you for your candour," replied Susan, "and will imitate you in my answer. Your obscure parentage cannot be a matter of consideration to one who has no descent to boast of. That you have not always been leading a creditable life, I am sorry for; more sorry because I am sure it must be a source of repentance and mortification to you; but I have not an idle curiosity to wish you to impart that which would not tend to my happiness to divulge. I did once hear an old gentlewoman, who had been conversant with the world, declare that if every man was obliged to confess the secrets of his life before marriage, few young women would be persuaded to go up to the altar. I hope it is not true; but whether it is or not, it does not exactly bear upon the subject in agitation. I again thank you for your candour, and disclaim all wish to know any further. I believe I have now answered your question." "Not yet, Susan,--you have not yet answered the latter part of it." "What was it?--I don't recollect." "It was," said McElvina, picking up the piece of twisted paper which Susan had thrown under the grate, "whether you would listen to my entreaties to sign your name in future as on this paper?" "Oh, McElvina," cried Susan,--"how unfair--how ungenerous! Now I detest you!" "I'll not believe that. I have your own handwriting to the contrary, and I'll appeal to your father." "Nay, rather than that--you have set me an example of candour, and shall profit by it. Promise me, McElvina, always to treat me as you have this day,--and here is my hand." "Who would not be _honest_, to be so rewarded?" replied McElvina, as he embraced the blushing girl. "Ah,--all's right, I perceive," cried old Hornblow, who had opened the door unperceived. "Come, my children, take my blessing--long may you live happy and united." CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. He was a shrewd philosopher, And had read every text and gloss over, Whatever sceptic could inquire for, For every _why_ he had a _wherefore_. He could reduce all things to acts, And knew their nature by abstracts. HUDIBRAS. Captain M--- was not unmindful of the promise which he had made to McElvina relative to our hero; and when he returned to the ship he sent for Macallan, the surgeon, and requested as a personal favour that he would superintend Willy's education, and direct his studies.