“Stay,” he said, sternly, pointing to the Colonel’s seat. “You may have something more to tell my father; and permit me to suggest to you to make hay while the sun shines. Father,” he said, “I will attend Mr. Vivian, during the remainder of his brief stay, for the honour of the house, and—you understand,” he concluded, hastily, as he ran after young Vivian.
Wilton glanced at the passionate workings of Colonel Mires’ features, as he watched Hal depart, and comprehended his son’s meaning at once. He therefore detained the Colonel with him until Mark’s return informed him of Vivian’s departure.
Immediately after Mark had disappeared, Nathan Gomer glided out of the room too, and pausing in the corridor muttered to himself—
“I don’t like this. What does the old man want? He had enough sorrow and affliction in his poverty; does he want to create a condition of unhappiness in his wealth? He shan’t. I will see Flora and talk with her about this affair—my mission is to see the children all happy, and I will—ay, I will.”
As he concluded, he rapidly made his way to Flora’s chamber, and tapped lightly at the door.
CHAPTER XII.—LESTER VANE AND HELEN.
J. Sh.—Forbear, my lord! here let me rather die,
And end my sorrows and my shame for ever.