had been men--and in proportion had seemed fully to appreciate
Hazel's attractions. Dick Selmes could not but own to himself that he
had not enjoyed his Christmas over much, though he would not have let it
be known for worlds.

"Hadn't you enough of me all to yourself at Haakdoorn?" she said softly,
but still with that mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

"As if that question requires any answer. Darling, you know I want you
all to myself always--all through our lives. You must have seen it.
Haven't you?"

"Perhaps. I won't tease you any more now. But you must listen to me."
The girl had grown very grave now--very earnest. Her eyes, dilated with
varying emotions, were full upon his face, and the predominant emotion,
was unqualified approval. "First of all, what would your father have to
say?"

"The dad? Why, he'd be delighted, of course."

"Yes, but would he? I'm not so sure. He has never heard of my
existence, and would think you had been entrapped by some nobody in the
course of your travels--" Here a slight wave of colour had come over her
face. "Now, I won't have that thought of me, or said by any one."

"But, Hazel darling," he pleaded eagerly, "I think you are setting up a
kind of--er--bogey. The old dad is the dearest old chap in the world,
and a jolly sight too good to me, and for me."

She looked at him and softened. She liked him more--more than ever--for
what he had just said. Perhaps she showed it.

"I can quite believe that," she answered. "Still, it doesn't alter what
I say."

His face fell. So blank was it that for a moment he felt positively
miserable.

"But, Hazel dearest, don't you care for me a little bit?"

Her heart went out to him.

"Dick, you know I am very fond of you," she answered, adding to herself,
"as who could help being?"--"No--no, not yet," putting out a hand as he
made a step forward.

"But--now we are engaged," he protested rapturously.

"We are not," she answered, and his face fell again. "And the only
condition on which we will be is the one I told you. Get your father's
consent."

"It strikes me, Hazel, that you are forgetting I am not exactly under
age. I am quite independent into the bargain."

"All the more reason why I should refuse to be the means of bringing
dissension between you. Why, it would be murderous--absolutely
murderous, after what you have told me. I am not forgetting either that
you have a certain position."

"Oh, hang the `