observations you have to make may as well be addressed to me. Henceforward, I stand between Miss Keeldar and all annoyance.'
"'You! What have you to do with Miss Keeldar?'
"'To protect, watch over, serve her.'
"'You, sir?—you, the tutor?'
"'Not one word of insult, sir,' interposed she: 'not one syllable of disrespect to Mr. Moore, in this house.'
"'Do you take his part?'
"'His part! Oh, yes!'
"She turned to me with a sudden, fond movement, which I met by circling her with my arm. She and I both rose.
"'Good Ged!' was the cry from the morning-gown standing quivering at the door. Ged, I think, must be the cognomen of Mr. Sympson's Lares: when hard-pressed, he always invokes this idol.
"'Come forward, uncle: you shall hear all. Tell him all, Louis.'
"'I dare him to speak! The beggar! the knave! the specious hypocrite! the vile, insinuating, infamous menial! Stand apart from my niece, sir: let her go!'
"She clung to me with energy, 'I am near my future husband,' she said: 'who dares touch him or me?'
"'Her husband!' he raised and spread his hands: he dropped into a seat.
"'A while ago, you wanted much to know whom I meant to marry: my intention was then formed, but not mature for communication: now it is ripe, sun-
