at West Point?"

"Yes; but do you remember that the subject was not to be referred
to--at least the question you asked not to be repeated--for six years,
and that it is now only five?"

"Yes; but one year cannot make much difference, and it is highly
probable that I may not be able to get here next year. Am I asking too
much in begging you to let me speak now--before I go? Understand I am
not asking leave to take her--your beautiful, charming daughter--away
from you now, but only to tell the story of my love; for it has come to
that, that I am deeply in love with her; only to tell the story and try
to win a return of my affection and a promise that, at some future day,
I may claim her for my own."

"I would rather not, Keith; she is only a child," Captain Raymond
replied in moved tones. "But since you are so urgent, and are so old and
valued a friend, I don't like to refuse you. You may speak to her; but
with the clear understanding, remember, that I will on no account allow
her to marry for some time to come; I do not want to allow it before she
is twenty-four or five."

"Thank you," said Keith heartily; "that will be a long time to wait,
but she is well worth waiting for. But do you think I have any reason to
hope to win her--that she likes me in the very least?"

"I am certain she has no dislike to you; that she feels kindly toward
you as a relative and friend of the family; but I tell you candidly that
I am well-nigh convinced that she has never thought of looking upon you
as a lover; and it is a great happiness to me to be able to believe that
she still loves her father better than any other man living."

"Still it is possible you may be mistaken," Keith rejoined after a
moment's discouraged silence, "and since I have your permission, I shall
try what clever courting will do for me."

A momentary silence followed, broken by Captain Raymond. "I fear I am a
foolish, fond father, Keith. I have a very strong friendship for you,
and there is no man to whom I would sooner trust my daughter's
happiness, but yet I cannot wish you success in winning her; because,
being in the army, you would necessarily take her to a distance from her
home and me. But, as I have said, you may try, though with the full
understanding that not for some years to come will I resign my custody
of her. She is my own dear child, and, in my esteem, still much too
young to leave my fostering care and assume the duties and
responsibilities of