This was the man Cynthia preferred to him! Contempt was there also in Joseph Ashburn's eye, mingled with satisfaction.

He had not looked to find the task so easy.

At length he deemed the season ripe.
"My brother tells me that you were once acquainted with Roland Marleigh," said he.
"Aye," he answered thickly.

"I knew the dog--a merry, reckless soul, d--n me.

'Twas his recklessness killed him, poor devil--that and your hand, Mr.Ashburn, so the story goes." "What story ?" "What story ?" echoed Crispin.