“I do not care! I will tell you how it will end, Em. It will end in our happy marriage. In the first place, let me tell you that I am of age, and NO ONE, however near and dear, however rich and influential, shall control my choice in that which would be the most important act of my life and the nearest to my heart. I will not lead _you_ into any disobedience, Em. If the old folks do object to our union I will wait until you are of age, and then I will marry you, love—I will Em., I will, ‘Though mammy and daddy and a’ gang mad!’ Yes! though my crotchety old kinsman here should disinherit and turn me out of the house, get me discharged from the navy, and leave me to earn our living by breaking stones on the highway. If you will only be constant, Em., as I know you will be, I will marry you in spite of them all. I will marry you in spite of fate and fortune; and I don’t care a button who hears me say so! OH!” This last exclamation was called forth by the sight of old Commodore Bruce sitting straight up in his chair, very wide awake, and staring at them. CHAPTER X SURPRISE The spell, The mightiest upon earth—the spell of love, Familiar, mutual, requited love— Shall be upon thee; and its charmed power Shall at each moment, at a wish, call up More wealth than ever crossed the desert sands, Gems, purer, costlier far than Araby’s; Unsunned treasures from that richest mine, The human heart. POCAHONTAS. “OH!” echoed the old man, while the young people looked at him aghast. “Eh? What? It seems I’ve been nodding and you’ve caught me! Very rude of me to fall asleep while you were reading, my dear! You might have won a pair of gloves, eh?” It was evident from the commodore’s words that he had not heard a word of Donald Bruce’s reckless talk, but had indeed but just at that instant waked up. “I hope you had a refreshing nap, sir,” said Em., who was the first to recover her self-possession. “Yes—yes—yes—yes! I had a very refreshing nap! Brief, but very refreshing. ‘Forty winks,’ as the saying is, you know, my dear; just lost myself, that is all!” said the old man, apparently unconscious that he had been sound asleep for two hours. “I hope you feel revived, sir,” said Ronald, now plucking up heart. “Yes—yes, quite so! But how the deuce did you come here, Ronald? What do you want?” demanded the commodore, bethinking himself now of the unexpected presence of his nephew. “I want to go to Greyrock this afternoon. Will you let me have Warlock?” inquired the young man with quick invention.