<< Indeed indeed, father," said Alice, alarmed at what she supposed these words indicated, << Julian is as little to be blamed as I! It was chance, it was fortune, which caused our meeting together." Then suddenly rushing forward, she threw her arms around her father, saying, « O do him no injury- he meant me no wrong! Father, you were wont to be a man of reason and of religious peace.» « And wherefore should I not be so now, Alice?» said Bridgenorth, raising his daughter from the ground, on which she had almost sunk in the earnestness of her supplication. « Doest thou know aught, maiden, which should inflame my anger against this young man, more than reason or religion may bridle? Go-go to thy chamber. Compose thine own passions-learn to rule these and leave it to me to deal with this stubborn young man.» Alice arose, and, with her eyes fixed on the ground, retired slowly from the apartment. Julian followed her steps with his eyes till the last wave of her garment was visible at the closing door; then turned his looks to Major Bridgenorth, and then sunk them on the ground. The major continued to regard him in profound silence; his looks were melancholy and even austere; but there was nothing which indicated either agitation or keen resentment. He motioned to Julian to take a seat, and assumed one himself. After which, he opened the conversation in the following manner: « You seemed but now, young gentleman, anxious to learn where I was to be found. Such I at least conjectured, from the few expressions which I chanced to overhear; for I made bold, though it may be contrary to the code of modern courtesy, to listen a moment or two, in order to gather upon what subject so young a man as you entertained so young a woman as Alice, in a private interview.» « I trust, sir," said Julian, rallying spirits in what he felt to be a case of extremity, « you have heard nothing on my part which has given offence to a gentleman, whom, though unknown, I am bound to respect so highly.» « On the contrary,» said Bridgenorth, with the same formal gravity, «I am pleased to find that your business is, or appears to be, with me, rather than with my daughter. I only think you had done better to have entrusted it to me in the first instance, as my sole concern. » The utmost sharpness of attention which Julian applied, could not discover if Bridgenorth spoke seriously or ironically to the above purpose. He was, however, quick-witted beyond his experience, and was internally determined to endeavour to discover something of the character and the temper of him with whom he spoke. For that purpose, regulating his reply in the same tone with Bridgenorth's observation, he said, that not having the advantage to know his place of residence, he had applied for information to his daughter. « Who is now known to you for the first time?» said Bridgenorth. « Am I so to under stand you?" « By no means," answered Julian, looking down; «I have been known to your daughter for many years; and what I wished to say, respects both her happiness and my own.» << I must understand you," said Bridgenorth, << even as carnal men understand each other on the matters of this world. You are attached to my daughter by the cords of love; I have long known it." " You, Master Bridgenorth?" exclaimed Peve- . ril-« You have long known it ?» Yes, young man. Think you, that as the father of an only child, I could have suffered Alice Bridgenorth-the only living pledge of her who is now an angel in heaven-to have remained in this seclusion without the surest knowledge of all her material actions? I have, in person, seen more, both of her and of you, than you could be aware of; and when absent in the body, I had the means of maintaining the same superintendance. Young man, they say that such love as you entertain for my daughter teaches much subtlety; but believe not that it can overreach the affection which a widowed father bears to an only child.» r r « If," said Julian, his heart beating thick and joyfully, if you have known this intercomse so long, may I not hope that it has not met your disapprobation?» - The major paused for an instant, and then answered, « In some respects, certainly not. Had it done so had there seemed aught on your side, or on my daughter's, to have rendered your visits here dangerous to her, or displeasing to me, she had not been long the inhabitant of this solitude, or of this island. But be not so hasty as to presume, that all which you may desire in this matter can be either easily or speedily accomplished." <«< I foresee, indeed, difficulties,» answered Julian; «< but with your kind acquiescence, they are such as I trust to remove. My father is generous-my mother is candid and liberal. They loved you once, I trust they will love you again. I will be the mediator betwixt you-peace and harmony shall once more inhabit our neighbourhood, and». Bridgenorth interrupted him with a grim smile; for such it seemed, as it passed over a face of deep melancholy. My daughter well said, but short while past, that you were a dreamer of dreams-an architect of plans and hopes fantastic as the visions of the night. It is a great, thing you ask of me;-the hand of my only child-the sum of my worldly substance, though that is but dross in comparison. You ask the key of the only fountain from which I may yet hope to drink one pleasant draught; you ask to be the sole and absolute keeper of my earthly happiness-and what have you offered, or what have you to offer, in return of the surrender you require of me?» << I am but too sensible," said Peveril, abashed at his own hasty conclusions, « how difficult it may be. >> Nay, but interrupt me not,» replied Bridgenorth, << till I shew you the amount of what you offer me in exchange for a boon, which, whatever may be its intrinsic value, is earnestly desired by you, and comprehends all that is valuable on earth which I have it in my power to bestow. You may have heard, that in the late times I was the antagonist of your father's principles and his profane faction, but not the enemy of his per son."> << I have ever heard,» replied Julian, « much the contrary; and it was but now that I remindyou that you had been his friend."> ed « Ay. When he was in affliction and I in prosperity, I was neither unwilling, nor altogether unable, to shew myself such. Well, the tables are turned-the times are changed. A peaceful and unoffending man might have expected from a neighbour, now powerful in his turn, such protection when walking in the paths of the law, as all men, subjects of the same realm, have a right to expect even from perfect strangers. What chances? I pursue, with the warrant of the King and law, a murtheress, bearing on her hand the blood of my near connexion, and I had, in such case, a right to call on every liege subject to render assistance to the execution. |