“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.