"Ah! _mon cher, cher ami_!" he exclaimed; and in a moment his arms were round his visitor. But directly after, he seemed to recollect himself, and drew back hastily to hold out his hand. "I beg pardon--thousand pardons; but I shall never be an Englishman." Then, running to the door, he cried in a loud voice, "_Mes amis--mes amis--entrez_." Harry Clayton's heart beat, as the next minute Jared Pellet entered with Patty and Janet, who both started with surprise, Patty colouring deeply, and the latter looking from one to the other with something nearly akin to anger. Harry hesitated but for one moment; and then, obeying the dictates of his heart, and heedless of the presence of father and friends, caught Patty in his arms, and kissed her tenderly. "Aha!" said Canau; "but you do not apologise, as I did, _mon ami_. I did draw back, and make offer of my hand." "So I do--now and for ever," cried Harry, "if Patty here will take it. You will forgive me, I know, Mr Pellet, for seeming brusque, but I cannot talk,--I cannot make professions. I am indeed, though, earnest and true, and I believe that you have read me aright." "Yes, yes--yes, yes," said Jared, softly. "I know, but it is not for me to read. We will go and sit with Janet, and you will join us soon." "But, papa!" cried Patty, blushing a deeper crimson, as she hurried to his side. "Well, my child," he said, as he kissed her white forehead fondly, "shall I stay then?" "Miss Pellet will, I hope, give me a short interview alone," said Harry, crossing to her side as Canau and Janet left the room. "Patty, dear Patty," he said, "I am no courtly wooer, only a poor student." "No, no!" exclaimed Jared. "Haven't we seen the honours you have won." "I have little to offer," continued Harry, "but the true love of an honest man; but it is so true, so unselfish a love, that I blush not to offer it here in your father's presence. But I have much to learn from you, for I tremble--this is not the welcome I had hoped to receive. You shrank from me almost with coldness, though you know that from our first meeting I have loved you. Mine may be a simple love, but I offer you a heart that never gave thought to another. But still I would not press you for that which was not yours to give. Tell me that you are not free in thought, and I will say no more." There was a few moments' pause, during which Jared fiercely stroked his cheek, and then thrust his hands into his pockets, shrugging his shoulders almost up to his ears, _a la_ Canau,--but, though Patty essayed to speak, her words were inaudible, as she covered her face with her hands and burst into tears. Treading upon tip-toe as if he were amongst pedal-keys, Jared softly left the room, and for the next few minutes, Harry, grown eloquent with affection, pleaded his cause earnestly, till Janet glided in, looking curiously from one to the other.