, in the society
columns, my granddaughter referred to as my sole heiress. I do not know
who is responsible for these reports, but you may have believed them,
though there is not a word of truth in them. My granddaughter is not my
sole heiress; not my heiress in the slightest degree. I have two
stalwart sons, partners in my business, both now in charge of the works
at North End, Cumberland mountains, and managing them extremely well,
else I could not be taking a long holiday here. These sons are heirs to
all my property. Nor is my granddaughter the heiress of her late father.
She has a brother, now a cadet at our military academy at West Point. He
inherits the bulk of his father's estate. My granddaughter's fortune is,
therefore, very moderate--quite beneath the consideration of an English
nobleman," concluded the old man, very grimly.

The young duke heard him out, and then answered;

"I trust, sir, that you will credit me with better motives in seeking
the hand of the young lady. It was her charm of person and of mind that
attracted me to her."

"Of course, of course; but, my dear duke, there is a plenty of sole
heiresses among the wealthy trades-people of London who would be proud
to buy a title with a fortune. Let me advise you to strike a bargain
with one of them. Now, as I have pressing business on hand, you will
excuse me."

The young duke arose, with a bow, and left the room, muttering to
himself: "What an unmitigated beast that old man is! I do like the girl;
she is a beautiful creature, but--I am well out of it after all."

Old Aaron Rockharrt made no false pretense of business to get rid of his
unwelcome visitor; he never made false pretense of any sort for any
purpose. He had pressing business on hand, though it was business which
had suddenly arisen during his interview with the duke, and had in fact
come out of it. No sooner had the young man left the house than the Iron
King went to the agency of the Cunard line, and secured staterooms for
himself and party in the Asia, that was to sail on the following
Saturday from Liverpool for New York.

When he re-entered his parlor at the Langham, he found his wife and Cora
seated there, the girl reading the _Court Journal_ to her grandmother.

"Put that tomfoolery down, Cora, and listen to me, both of you! This is
Wednesday. We leave London for Liverpool on Friday morning, and sail
from Liverpool for New York on Saturday. So you sent that man to me,
mistres