“It is of that ‘folly’ I have come to speak to you. It does not seem to me to be folly, but an honest, manly, faithful love, likely to last his lifetime,” said Emolyn earnestly. “I am very sorry to hear you say that. I trust in Heaven, for his sake, that it is not true,” gravely replied the old man. “What is your objection to Emolyn Palmer as the wife of your nephew?” “Objection? My dear lady, how can you ask? My objection is not a particular but a general one.” “She is beautiful.” “Yes.” “She is graceful.” “Certainly.” “Amiable and irreproachable in character.” “Quite so.” “Intelligent and fairly educated.” “She is all that.” “And is she not sincerely attached to your nephew and yourself, and beloved by both?” “Yes, it is true.” “And are not all these qualities that you would desire to find in the chosen bride of Ronald Bruce?” “Yes, my dear lady—all these qualities are to be desired, but they are not all that are to be expected in my nephew’s wife.” “What else would you have, you exacting man?” “Wealth and a good social position,” curtly replied the commodore. “Emolyn Palmer shall have both,” said the lady quietly. “Eh! Emolyn Palmer have wealth and social position? How is that possible? You dream, my child!” “Yes, I do dream, and I mean to realize my dream. The child, Emolyn Palmer, has interested me more than any person or anything that I have met with for the last seventeen years. I feel my heart so drawn out toward her that I begin to believe in the possibility of happiness in this life even for me, through her! For her sake I have come to see you. I told you that in addition to all her personal attractions, she should have the necessary ones of wealth and social position. Wealth I will give her. I have no children nor near relatives to share my fortune. I will, therefore, give my little namesake a marriage portion that shall make her the equal in fortune to any young lady in this State. Her marriage will give her the social position that is required, for the wife takes rank from her husband. Thus Emolyn Palmer shall have wealth and position added to all her personal attractions. Will you now consent to the engagement of these lovers?” earnestly inquired the lady. The commodore waved his thin white hand to and fro, as if gently putting away her arguments, as he replied: