there. Under all the circumstances of the case I think you were right to wish to leave us.'
'And therefore I shall go the first thing to-morrow morning'—in saying which last words poor Felix could not refrain from showing a certain unevenness of temper, and some disappointment.
'Gently, gently, Mr. Graham. Let us have a few more words before we accede to the necessity of anything so sudden. Have you spoken to Madeline on this subject?'
'Not a word.'
'And I may presume that you do not intend to do so.'
For a moment or so Felix Graham sat without speaking, and then, getting up from his chair, he walked twice the length of the room. 'Upon my word, judge, I will not answer for myself if I remain here,' he said at last.
A softer-hearted man than Judge Staveley, or one who could make himself more happy in making others happy, never sat on the English bench. Was not this a gallant young fellow before him,—gallant and clever, of good honest principles, and a true manly heart? Was he not a gentleman by birth, education, and tastes? What more should a man want for a son-in-law? And then his daughter had had the wit to love this man so endowed. It was almost on his tongue to tell Graham that he might go and seek the girl and plead his own cause to her.
But bread is bread, and butcher's bills are bills! The man and the father, and the successful possessor of some thousands a year, was too strong at last for the soft-hearted philanthropist. Therefore, having collected his thoughts, he thus expressed himself upon the occasion:—
'Mr. Graham, I think you have behaved very well in this matter, and it is exactly what I should have expected from you.' The judge at the time knew nothing about Mary Snow. 'As regards yourself personally I should be proud to own you as my son-in-law, but I am of course bound to regard the welfare of my daughter. Your means I fear are but small.'
'Very small indeed,' said Graham.
'And though you have all those gifts which should bring you on in your profession, you have learned to entertain ideas, which hitherto have barred you from success. Now I tell you what you shall do. Remain here two or three days longer, till you are fit to travel, and abstain from saying anything to my daughter. Come to me again in three months, if you still hold the same mind, and I will pledge myself to tell you then whether or no you have my leave to address my child as a suitor.'
Felix Graham silently took the judge's hand, feeling that a strong hope had been given to him, and so the interview was ended.
