(He has come for a larger allowance, thought the Judge; he knows that he is of full age, and wants his full income.) (How shall I ask him for his daughter, thought Arthur. Well--at all events, he must know that she is mine.) Arthur sat down, still hesitating. The Judge waited impatiently, though he thought he knew what was in his mind; for it was part of his legal training never to give his own ideas until he had fully extracted those of the other side. Thus, mutual misunderstanding like that of a scene in a comedy was averted; for when Arthur did begin, it was to the point. “Uncle John,” said he, “I am engaged to Gracie.” Uncle John was in fact more staggered than if he had moved him for a non-suit; but his judicial calm was as unruffled as if it were but a _similiter_ in pleading. “And is Gracie engaged to you?” he answered, illogically, but to the point, in his turn. And Arthur’s hesitation in replying gave him time to hastily adapt himself to the issue and make up his judicial mind; which was, as usual, that the court would reserve its decision. Arthur, however, hesitated but for a moment; and then with a faint blush mantling his ingenuous face, “I think, sir, she might be, if you would consent.” “But, dear me,” said the Judge, “I don’t consent! Don’t understand me for one moment as consenting! Where’s Gracie? Did you tell her of this--of this surprising motion of yours?” “No, sir,” said Arthur, “I thought--that----” “That you wanted an _ex parte_ hearing? Now I can’t pronounce a decision, sir, in the absence of the parties; and Gracie has not made her appearance in this suit as yet!” “I’ll go get her,” said Arthur, promptly. “No, sir, you’ll do nothing of the sort,” said the Judge, appalled at this evidence of collusion between the parties. “You’ll go away from here for some years before you get her; and then----” “And then?” said Arthur, eagerly. The Judge looked at him curiously over his round spectacles. “What do you propose to live upon?” “I am coming to that,” said Arthur. “I have fifteen hundred a year----” “Two thousand,” said the Judge, absently. “Two thousand?” said Arthur, “I did not think it was so much.” And he began rapidly to calculate how much farther the extra five hundred would carry them. “Well,” said the Judge, “you don’t propose to marry my daughter and live in Boston on two thousand a year, do you?” But, secretly, it seemed to him the proper thing to do. “No, sir,” said Arthur; (“Oh,” interpolated the Judge, rather disappointed.) “I--I have decided to go to New York and enter a banking-house. And, in that, sir, I want to ask your help--and your advice.” The Judge was silent a minute. “In order that you may use the one and decline the other, I suppose, with thanks. Well;--and granting this point (for the sake of argument)--What next?” “Then,” said Arthur, “I shall try to make some money; and then, if I succeed--will you give your consent to our engagem--to our marriage?”