,
he led her across the room and placed an arm-chair for her facing her
father. After a slight hesitation, Drane was about to leave the room,
but Major Gilcrest quietly invited him to remain, whereupon the young
man retired to a position in a window-seat.

"My daughter," said Gilcrest, in his most stately manner, "our esteemed
young friend has done us the honor of seeking an alliance with this
family by a marriage with yourself; and, like the honorable gentleman
he is, he has, before addressing you, laid his proposal before your
parents. I have desired him to remain in the room that he may hear me
tell you that there is no one to whom I would more willingly intrust my
daughter's future. You have known him long, and, I dare say, esteem him
highly; for he has everything to recommend him to your favor. Your
mother and I have given our cordial approval, and we will now leave him
to plead his cause with you. Knowing him as I do, and knowing you, I
feel sure he will not plead in vain. Come, my dear," he said to his
wife, "we will now withdraw."

If Gilcrest by this confident manner thought to overawe his daughter
and surprise her into acceptance, he was speedily undeceived.

"Stop, father! Stop, mother!" Betty cried, rising from her chair and
facing her father, her lips firmly set, her face pale, determination in
every line of her graceful figure. "What I have to say to Mr. Drane
must be said in your hearing." Gilcrest, surprised at the firmness of
her voice and the determination and dignity of her bearing, stood
still, facing her; Mrs. Gilcrest sank limply into the nearest chair.
Betsy continued: "I am sensible of the honor Mr. Drane does me in
seeking my hand; but I am surprised at his persisting in a suit which
he must know is displeasing to me. More than once has he so plainly
intimated his intentions that I could not fail to understand, and just
as plainly have I intimated that I could not favor his suit. I now, in
your presence, say what I have so often hinted to him--that I can never
be his wife."

"Tut! tut! girl, have done with these unseemly airs!" said her father,
sharply. "You are not capable of judging. Your parents know best what
is good for you."

"No, sir," said Betty, firmly, "in this matter which involves my whole
future, not even my parents shall choose for me. And you know, too,
that my love is given and my troth plighted to another."

"Stop such maudlin raving! Your 'troth plighted'! Tut! you do no