It will be remembered that a merchant in Albany, Mr. John Campbell, was the guardian¹ of Miss Florence Douglas, whom our hero, Ben, had escorted from New York to San Francisco.

 

The disappearance² of his ward³ was exceedingly annoying, since it interfered⁴ with plans which he had very much at heart. He had an only son, Orton Campbell, now a young man of twenty-eight. He was young in years only, being a stiff, grave, wooden-faced man, who in his starched⁶ manners was a close copy of his father. Both father and son were excessively fond of money, and the large amount of the fortune of the young lady, who stood to the father in the relation of ward, had excited the covetousness⁷ of both. It was almost immediately arranged between father and son[Pg 159] that she should marry the latter, either of her own free will or upon compulsion.

 

In pursuance of this agreement, Mr. Orton Campbell took advantage of the ward's residence in his father's family to press upon her attentions which clearly indicated his ultimate object.

 

Florence Douglas felt at first rather constrained⁸ to receive her guardian's son with politeness, and this, being misinterpreted, led to an avowal⁹ of love.

 

Orton Campbell made his proposal in a confident, matter-of-fact manner, as if it were merely a matter of form, and the answer must necessarily be favorable.

 

The young lady drew back in dignified¹⁰ surprise, hastily withdrawing the hand which he had seized. "I cannot understand, Mr. Campbell," she said, "what can have induced you to address me in this manner."

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