‘Bring her and welcome—ah, you think that will bring you happiness, Phil, but you are mistaken. Happiness is a creature of the fancy, she is never caught and held; always flits ahead. You’ll not find her in Carrie Shepley—no, nor in aught in this world.’ ‘My dear sir, I fear you will be turning monk, when I hear you despise the good things of this world, as you do just now,’ said Phil. He laid his hand on his father’s shoulder with the caressing way he had to every one. Meadowes smiled. ‘I know better than to think happiness lies there either,’ he said.—‘But to return to business: you mean to marry this girl as soon as may be?’ ‘So soon as she will have me, sir.’ ‘I shall make you an allowance then, Phil, and the house in St. James’ Square; and you understand that the outer world still considers us as a devoted father and son.’ ‘They will be right to name you a generous father at least, sir,’ said Phil, and he held out his hand suddenly to his father as he spoke. ‘Don’t name me ungrateful, sir,’ he added; ‘I see all you have done for me.’ It was a very painful moment to them both, for each understood how one spontaneous expression of affection on Phil’s part would have taken away all difficulty from the situation; and yet the possibility of giving it was not there. Gratitude, however sincere it may be, if unwarmed by love, is cold as icicles. Now that his affairs were arranged in this unsatisfactory fashion, Phil lost no time in presenting himself at Jermyn Street, to ask for the hand of Miss Caroline Shepley in marriage. Carrie stood at the window that evening looking out into the dusty little street, when all at once she saw Phil come up the steps and heard his knock at the door. Her father sat by the fire reading, unsuspicious of the blow that was about to fall. Carrie turned away from the window and came towards him. ‘Father,’ she said, in a very tense voice, then waited for a moment, not knowing what to say; and Phil, who was very impatient that night, knocked again more loudly than before. ‘I am sure my heart makes as much noise as the knocker!’ thought Carrie, as she listened. Sebastian looked up— ‘Well? what is it, my daughter?’ ‘_Philip_,’ said Carrie. Then as in a dream she heard Patty’s familiar voice announce her lover’s name, and a moment later saw her dear Phil stand beside her. ‘How are you, Carrie?’ he said, as if they had never been parted, and then he held out his hand to Sebastian. ‘I fear I come as an unwelcome guest, sir,’ he said. ‘I cannot welcome you,’ said Sebastian shortly; but he motioned to Phil to take a seat. ‘I need not tell you why I am come, sir,’ pursued Phil, who wasted no time upon preliminaries. ‘I have given Carrie her choice betwixt you and me; ’tis for her to speak,’ said Sebastian for answer.