And refluent wave of the sweet smile, may know
The very sky and sea-line of her soul"


The suite of rooms which belonged especially to the heir of Meriton were
very handsome ones, and their long, lofty parlor was full of art treasures
gathered from the various cities which Allan had visited. The fire in this
room had been lighted for some time and was burning cheerily, and the
young man sat in its ruddy glow when his father entered.

"I was lonely to-night, Allan, so I have come to make you a visit."

"You do me a great honor, sir, and are most welcome." And he went to meet
him gladly. But as Blair, his valet, was softly moving about in an inner
room, conversation was confined to conventional grooves until the servant
with a low "good night, sir," glided away. As soon as they were alone the
effort to conceal emotion was mutually abandoned. John Campbell sat on one
side of the hearth, with his head dropped toward his folded hands. Allan
kept his eyes fixed upon the glowing coals; but he was painfully aware of
his father's unhappy presence, and waiting for him to open the
conversation which he saw was inevitable.

"I have had a knock-me-down blow to-night, son Allan."

"And I am much to blame for it; that is what grieves me, father."

"You are altogether to blame for it, Allan. I thought Mary loved you when
you came home this summer; to-night I am sure she loves you. You must have
made some great blunder or she would have married you."