I asked my father, but he refused to tell me." "I thought not," said the Doctor, the gloom clearing from his brow.

"I was sure that you were not a man who, to clear yourself from a little money difficulty, would sacrifice the happiness of your mother and the health of your father." "Good gracious! what do you mean ?" "It is only right that you should know.

That money represents the commutation of your father's pension.

He has reduced himself to poverty, and intends to go to sea again to earn a living." "To sea again! Impossible!" "It is the truth.

Charles Westmacott has told Ida.