slight delusion regarding the identity of that prodigal,--a
delusion shared by all the parties except, perhaps, myself. I have
to prepare you for a shock. The gentleman whom you have recently
known as Alexander Morton, jun., is not the prodigal son; is not
your--er--cousin; is, in fact, no relation to you. Prepare
yourself, Miss Mary, for a little disappointment,--for--er--
degradation. The genuine son has been--er--discovered in the
person of--er--low menial--or--vagabond,--"Sandy," the--er--outcast
of Red Gulch!

Miss Mary (rising in astonishment). Sandy! Then he was right.
(Aside.) The child is his! and that woman--

Starbottle. Compose yourself, Miss Mary. I know the--er--effect
of--er--revelation like this upon--er--proud and aristocratic
nature. Ged! My own, I assure you, beats in--er--responsive
indignation. You can never consent to remain beneath this roof,
and--er--receive a--er--vagabond and--er--menial on equal terms.
The--er--necessities of my--er--profession may--er--compel me; but
you--er--never! Holding myself--er--er--responsible for having
introduced you here, it is my--er--duty to provide you with--
another home! It is my--er--duty to protect--

Miss Mary (aside). Sandy here, and beneath this roof! Why has he
not sought me? Ah, I know too well: he dare not face me with his
child!

Starbottle (aside). She turns away! it is maiden coyness. (Aloud.)
If, Miss Mary, the--er--devotion of a life-time; if the--er--
chivalrous and respectful adoration of a man--er--whose record