I
did get it, and that is sufficient."
Hamish had come out of his laughing tone, and spoke as firmly as Mr.
Huntley; but, that the question had embarrassed him, was palpably
evident. Mr. Huntley said good morning, and left the office without
shaking hands. All his doubts were confirmed.
He went straight home. Ellen was where he had left her, still alone.
Mr. Huntley approached her and spoke abruptly. "Are you willing to give
up all intimacy with Hamish Channing?"
She gazed at him in surprise, her complexion changing, her voice
faltering. "Oh, papa! what have they done?"
"Ellen, did I say 'they!' The Channings are my dear friends, and I hope
ever to call them such. They have done nothing unworthy of my
friendship or of yours. I said Hamish."
Ellen rose from her seat, unable to subdue her emotion, and stood with
her hands clasped before Mr. Huntley. Hamish was far dearer to her than
the world knew.
"I will leave it to your good sense, my dear," Mr. Huntley whispered,
glancing round, as if not caring that even the walls should hear. "I
have liked Hamish very much, or you may be sure he would not have been
allowed to come here so frequently. But he has forfeited my regard now,
as he must forfeit that of all good men."
She trembled excessively, almost to impede her utterance, when she
would have asked what it was that he had done.
"I scarcely dare breathe it to you," said Mr.
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