in nature the child should want this handsome stranger; but with me thou wilt certainly say, He is not fit for thy happiness; he has not the true faith, he gambles, he fights duels, he is a waster, he lives badly, he will take thee far from thy own people and thy own home.'“
Lysbet drew close to him, and laid her arm across his broad shoulders; and he took his pipe from his lips and turned his face to her. “Kind and wise art thou, my husband; and whatever is thy wish, that is my wish too.”
“A good woman thou art. And what pleasure would it be to thee if Charlotte was a countess, and went to the court, and bowed down to the king and the queen? Thou would not see it; and, if thou spoke of it, thy neighbors they would hate thee, and mock thee behind thy back, and say, How proud is Elder Van Heemskirk of his noble son-in-law that comes never once to see him! And dost thou believe he is an earl? Not I.”
“That is where the mother's love is best, Joris. What my neighbors said would be little care to me, if my Charlotte was well and was happy. With her sorrow would I buy my own pleasure? No; I would not so selfish be.”
“Would I, Lysbet? Right am I, and I know I am right. And I think that Sir Edward will be a very great person. Already, as a man of affairs, he is much spoken of. He is handsome and of good morality. The elders in the kirk look to such young men as Sir Edward to fill their places when they are no more in them. On the judge's bench he will sit down yet.”
“A good young man he may be, but he is a very bad lover; that is the truth. If a little less wise he could only be! A young girl likes some foolish talk. It is what women understand. Little fond words, very strong they are! Thou thyself said them to me.”
“That is right. To Sir Edward I will talk a little. A man must seek a good wife with more heart than he seeks gold. Yes, yes; her price above rubies is.”
When Elder Van Heemskirk arrived at home, he found that his wife was out making calls with Mistress Gordon, so he had not the relief of a marital conversation. He took his solitary tea, and fell into a nap, from which he awoke in a querulous, uneasy temper. Sir Edward was walking about the terrace, and he joined him.
“You are stepping in a very majestic way, Sir Edward; what's in your thoughts, I wonder?”
“I have a speech to make tomorrow, sir. My thoughts were on the law, which has a certain majesty of its own.”
“You'd better be thinking of a speech you ought to make tonight, if you care at all about saving yourself with Charlotte Morgan; and I am certain it will be an extraordinary case that is worth more than gold.”
The elder was not in the habit of making unmeaning speeches, and Sir Edward was instantly alarmed. In his own way, he loved Charlotte with all his soul. “Yes,” continued the old man, “you have a rival, sir. Harleigh Daly asked Joris Morgan for his daughter hand.”
“What a dirty scoundrel he is!—to feather his nest with my straw.”
“Take your time, Sir Edward, and you won't lose your judgment. How was he to know that Charlotte Morgan was your sweetheart? You made little fuss over the lass, very little, I may say. Lawyer-like you may be, but none could call you lover-like. I'll have no fighting with him—you have only yourself to blame, you should of laid claim to your love instead of laying bout your law books. Take a word of advice now,—I'll give it without a fee,—you are fond enough to plead for others, go and plead an hour for yourself. Certain! When I was your age, I was noted for my persuading way. Your father, Sir Edward, never left a square on the picnic blanket for a rival. And I can tell you this: a woman isn’t to be counted yours, until you have her inside a wedding-ring.”
DUELING FOR LOVE.
Sir Edward was intensely angry, and his dark eyes glowed beneath their dropped lids with a passionate hate. But he left his father with an assumed coldness and calmness which made him mutter as he watched Sir Edward down the