Answer me truly--do you love the lad?"
"Father, I do love him. I feel that my happiness is inseparably
connected with his." This was said with that charming candor which was
the most attractive feature in Juliet Whitmore's character. It had its
effect upon the old man's generous nature. He could no longer chide,
however repugnant to his feelings the confession she had just made. He
drew her gently to his manly breast, and kissed away the tears that
still lingered on her cheeks.
"My poor girl, I am sorry for you--very sorry. But I see no chance of
your ever becoming his wife."
"I am contented to remain single, papa; I never can love another as I
love him."
"Stuff and nonsense! What should hinder you? Why, child, you will get
over this romantic passion. Few people are able to marry the first
person with whom they fall in love; and, in nine cases out of ten, they
would be grievously disappointed if they did. This Anthony Hurdlestone
may be a good young man, but his father is a very bad man. His children
may inherit some of the family propensities, which you know, my little
daughter are everything but agreeable. I should not like to be grandpapa
to a second edition of Mark Hurdlestone, or even of his hopeful nephew,
Master Godfrey."
"Ah, my dear father," said Juliet, with great simplicity, "this may be
all very true; but how do you know that we should have any children?"
This unexpected confession threw the old Captain, in spite of his grave
lecture, into convulsions of laughter, whilst it covered his daughter's
face with crimson blushes.
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