Eveline Mandeville | Page 3

exchanged

vows of love and constancy. And her parent had just termed him
beggarly! What could be the cause of his dislike? and for what purpose
had he sought the young man in so strange and unaccountable a mood?
and what was the nature of the interview between them?
Such were the thoughts that hurried across the mind of the young girl;
and, hardly knowing what she did, she stole up to her chamber-window,
which was in full view of the gentlemen, and placing her ear in a
listening attitude, bent all her energies to gain a knowledge of what was
said; and, having so much at stake, we must excuse the exceptionable
act.
"It is not worth while for you to deny it, Hadley, as I have the most
positive proof of your designs."
These were the first words that greeted the daughter's ears, and they
sent a chill to her heart. She knew that her lover was impetuous, and
feared the charge made against him, which she could not but perceive
was a grave one, would cause him to commit some rash or unguarded
act, the results of which, in the existing state of affairs, would be
unfortunate. His reply, however, was calm, and his manner cool and
self-possessed, and she listened to the remainder of the conversation
with breathless attention and intensely absorbed interest.
"Pray, sir, will you be so kind as to give me the name of the individual
who has dared to accuse me of a base plot? You certainly cannot refuse
so small a request, and yet of such great importance to me, as it gives
me the only possible chance of clearing myself from the groundless
charges preferred against me so invidiously."
"I do not feel disposed to reveal the name of my informant, as it would
lead to an unpleasant rencounter, and result in no good. Suffice it to say,
he enjoys my entire confidence, and that I give to his words the fullest
credit."
"Sir, I must consider this a very strange course for a gentleman to
pursue. You are evidently laboring under a serious mistake, and it
would give me the greatest pleasure to convince you of the fact, would

you allow me to do so; but as I cannot do that, will you permit me to
hold a moment's conversation with your daughter?"
"Why, sir, it was to prevent that very thing that I met you here. No, I
cannot grant your request; and hereafter you will please consider my
daughter as a stranger, and my door as closed against you! Not a word,
sir; not a word--my resolution is taken unchangeably. I can not and will
not permit my child to associate with those whom I know to be
unworthy. Sir, I will hear no word of explanation! Go!"
Hadley felt the unkindness and injustice of Mandeville's remarks, and
had he merely consulted his own feelings, he would have retired at
once, and never again intruded himself upon the society of one who
could show himself so destitute of the characteristics of a gentleman.
But there was another than himself that must suffer should he go, as his
feelings prompted, from the premises of her father forever. Love was
all-powerful in his breast at that hour, and choking down the rising
emotions of anger and excitement, he attempted to reason with the stern
man before him.
"But you surely," he commenced, "do not mean to drive me from your
door without a hearing? You certainly are too much of a gentleman for
that."
"I mean, sir, that I will allow no base, thieving miscreant to enter my
house; nor will I permit a daughter of mine to hold intercourse with
such villains! And more than that, I will tell you, sir, that I am not to be
dictated to, as to whose company I shall keep, or whom admit to my
house, by any such worthless, gallows-deserving scamp as yourself!"
This was more than Hadley could bear. He had resolved not to become
excited, but anger rose in his bosom in spite of his will, and he
answered in deep, excited tones:
"Sir, no man can apply such epithets to me and go unchastised. I
demand a recantation of your unfounded charges, and an apology for
their utterance."

And as he spoke he assumed a menacing attitude. Rage at once filled
the breast of Mandeville, and instantly rendered him altogether
ungovernable. He raised his clenched fist, as if to strike the young man,
and hissed savagely between his set teeth:
"Insolent villain! do you dare to insult me thus at my own door! Away
in a moment, or I'll smite you to the earth without another word!"
Hadley stood still.
"Go, vile dog! I say; go!" and he drew back his