then, sir, _never_--never speak of it to me or any one else, after
this," she implored.

"I shall not hinder you, child," said Mr. Stillinghast, repressing a
groan of anguish which struggled up from his heart. They went together
into the sitting-room; and May spread his supper before him, but he
only drank his tea, and pushing his plate away, came and sat in his
armchair beside the fire.

"You have taken nothing, sir; pray try and eat this, it is very nice."

"I have such an infernal singing in my ears, that I cannot eat. I can
hardly see. Ding, dong--ding, dong. Great Lord! if this should be
eternal!" he exclaimed, forgetting the presence of May.

"You are not well, sir. Sit here near the fire; put your feet upon
this cushion, so that the soles will be towards the fire, and while you
smoke, I will read the paper to you," said May.

"For what?" he asked, turning his fierce, gray eyes upon her.

"Because you are not well, sir," she said, looking calmly into them.

"Do you know that I have made my will,--cut you off with a few paltry
dollars, not enough to feed you, and left that Helen--that
trifler--that waif, a princely fortune?" he asked, savagely.

"You have a right, sir, to do as you please with your own. You have
sheltered, schooled, and fed me--I have no right to expect more," she
said, gently.