have never yet asked man for his blessing--not even Guy Darrell. Will
you put your hand on my head? and oh! that in the mystic world beyond us,
some angel may tell Charles Haughton that William Losely has blessed his
son!"

Solemnly, but with profound humility--one hand on the Bible beside him,
one on the young soldier's bended head--William Losely blessed Charles
Haughton's son--and; having done so, involuntarily his arms opened, and
blessing was followed by embrace.




CHAPTER III.

NOTHING SO OBSTINATE AS A YOUNG MAN'S HOPE; NOTHING SO ELOQUENT AS A
LOVER'S TONGUE.

Hitherto there had been no reference to Sophy. Not Sophy's lover, but
Charles Haughton's son had knelt to Waife and received the old man's
blessing. But Waife could not be long forgetful of his darling--nor his
anxiety on her account. The expression in his varying face changed
suddenly. Not half an hour before, Lionel Haughton was the last man in
the world to whom willingly he would have consigned his grandchild. Now,
of all men in the world Lionel Haughton would have been his choice. He
sighed heavily; he comprehended, by his own changed feelings, how tender
and profound an affection Lionel Haughton might inspire in a heart so
fresh as Sophy's, and so tenacious of the impressions it received. But
they were separated forever; she ought not even again to see him.
Uneasily Waife glanced towards the open window--rose involuntarily,