marriage. She is sure to be well off, though she may be less rich than you suppose. No, you needn't protest; I don't suspect you of loving my daughter for her 'tocher.' And in any case – be it said without offence – she will be far more than a match for a penniless young adventurer. But if she did chance to take a fancy to you or to Leslie" – there Jack winced – "and if you could contribute a fair share towards the housekeeping, so that you might marry without loss of self-respect, why, I should not stand in the way of your wishes. Not that that advances you very far, you will say," seeing that Jack remained silent and nonplussed, "since you have no means at all, and we are merely considering ways. You don't expect my daughter to wait for you, I presume; but if she should happen to be disengaged when you are in a position to apply, I may make no serious objections. Mark me, young man, though I talk lightly, I mean seriously. I am sure I may trust to your honour not to compromise Grace in any way."
"I have not the slightest reason to believe that my cousin cares for me. And besides," he added, after a moment's pause, "with your permission I shall leave Glenconan to-morrow."
"Softly, softly! You are always ice or fire. Were you to beat a retreat without sound of drum, it might make talk – or mischief – that had better be avoided. Give me your word, and stay with us tor another week; longer delay might be dangerous – for you. I take that as settled; and I may have something to say both to you and Leslie, ere you leave – for be it understood that I am not bound to you in any way, so far as those aspirations of yours are concerned. And now to come back to your immediate concerns, – for as to these, you have more reason than before to command me."
"Believe me, I heartily appreciate your generosity, but help from you has become out of the question."
"How now, young man?" said Moray, sternly – and Venables saw how his uncle could look when he was angry, – "how now? Do you dare to tell me you are offended by language that most people would call foolish and weak?"
"God forbid, sir! How can you misunderstand me? I should have thought your own high spirit would have been more in sympathy with mine. From my uncle and very kind friend I might gratefully have accepted anything. By my frank avowal I have abandoned all hope of your help, for I can take nothing from the father of the heiress on whom I have rashly set some hopes. I said I stood at the cross-roads; and it appears I have struck into a wrong one – that is all."
"Nonsense, man!" exclaimed Moray, with extreme cordiality. "Confound the fellow!" he muttered to himself; "if he were to make love to Grace as he does to me, he would win her heart in a hand-gallop. Nonsense, man! let the night and the next day or two bring counsel. You shall stay here on your parole for another week; and before you leave for the South, we may see our way somewhat more clearly as to your future arrangements," – a prediction which proved to be true, though not precisely as Mr Moray had expected.
