ault--the presumption--was mine,
in daring to think that any human being could make a match for another. In
daring to try to make a match between my daughter and her cousin merely to
gratify my ambition of sending the family name down to posterity with the
family estate. There should be no 'parental' or other interference in such
sacred matters. You and my daughter have become attached to each other. It
is enough. I must speak to her mother, and, if need be, we must both bear
our disappointment as we best can."

"But, my dear Force, if you feel this so deeply, there need be no final
disappointment. Your fair daughter is very young. She may soon be able to
forget me in the attractive society of some other and more favored suitor.
As for me, I can go away; and though it is not likely that one of my age,
loving for the first time in my life, will ever be able to forget my love,
yet I hope I am man enough to bear my sorrow without complaint. Come, my
kind host, the case is really at your disposal," said the colonel, with an
air of frank generosity that would have deceived an angel.

"You are a noble fellow, Anglesea! A noble, open-minded fellow! I must
consider my daughter. I must consider my daughter! And I have no doubt
that this affair will end as you wish."

"You are really too good--too self-sacrificing! I, too, should consider
your dear daughter's welfare above all other interests. But, see here,
Force, in the event of my ever becoming the happy husband of your eldest
child, what should there be to hinder me from taking the family name? I am
the younger son of such a long line of younger sons that the marquisate
must be at least a hundred removes from me, or I from the marquisate,
whichever you like. So your cherished hope may yet be fulfilled in me."

"You are generous, Anglesea! I had not thought of such a concession from
you. I should not have presumed to suggest it."

"What possible concession would I not make in order not only to win the
daughter, but to satisfy the father?"

"Thank you, thank you, Anglesea! I will speak to you further on the
subject when I have conferred with my wife. There is my horse," he said,
glancing through the front window, "and I must be off now to meet my
engagement. Good-morning."

And Mr. Force warmly shook the hand of his guest, and left the room.

He paused in the front hall for a few moments, and seemed to fumble a good
deal with his overcoat, gloves and hat before he finall