this time a calmer hearing." So changed was Losely, so absorbed in his own emotions Darrell, that the words did not at once waken up remembrance. "Another time," said Darrell, hastily moving on into the road; "I am not at leisure now."
"Pardon me, now." said Losely, unconsciously bringing himself back to the tones and bearing of his earlier and more civilized years. "You do not remember me, Sir no wonder. But my name is Jasper Losely."
Darrell halted; then, still as if spell-bound, looked fixedly at the broad-shouldered, burly frame before him, cased in its coarse pea-jacket, and in that rude form, and that defeatured, bloated face, detected, though with strong effort, the wrecks of the masculine beauty which had ensnared his deceitful daughter. Jasper could not have selected a more unpropitious moment for his cause. Darrell was still too much under the influence of recent excitement and immense sorrow for that supremacy of prudence over passion which could alone have made him a willing listener to overtures from Jasper Losely. And about the man whose connection with himself was a thought of such bitter shame, there was now so unmistakably the air of settled degradation, that all Darrell's instincts of gentleman were revolted—just at the very time, too, when his pride had been most chafed and assailed by the obtrusion of all that rendered most galling to him the very name of Jasper Losely. What! was it that man's asserted child whom Lionel Haughton desired as a wife? was the alliance with that man to be thus renewed and strengthened? that man have another claim to him and his in right of parentage to the bride of his nearest kinsman? What! was it that man's child whom he was asked to recognize as of his own flesh and blood? the last representative of his line? That man!—that! A flash shot from his bright eye, deepening its gray into dark; and, turning on his heel, Darrell said, through his compressed lips:
"You have heard, Sir, I believe, through Colonel Morley, that only on condition of your permanent settlement in one of our distant colonies, or America, if you prefer it, would I consent to assist you. I am of the same mind still. I cannot parley with you myself. Colonel Morley is abroad, I believe. I refer you to my solicitor; you have seen him years ago; you know his address. No more, Sir."
"This will not do, Mr. Darrell," said Losely, doggedly; and, planting himself right before Darrell's way. "I have come here on purpose to have all differences out with you, face to face—and I will—"
