"There, there, there! I will not even hear of an engagement until that time shall arrive. How do I know how you will pass through the ordeal of a political career, or into what bad company, evil habits, riotous living, dissipation, drunkenness, bribery and corruption, embezzlements, ruin and disgrace you may not be tempted?" "Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Rule. "Amen! I believe you will stand the test, but I have seen too many brilliant and aspiring young politicians go up like a rocket and come down a burnt stick, to be very sure of any man in the same circumstances." "But, Mr. Rockharrt, such men were most probably brought up in wealth and luxury. They were not trained, perhaps, as I have been, in the hard but wholesome school of labor and self-denial." "There may be something in that; but if you advance it as an argument for me to change my mind in this matter of a prudent delay, it is thrown away upon me. You should know me well enough to know that I never change my mind." Rule did know it. But he answered earnestly: "I accept your conditions, Mr. Rockharrt. I will wait and work as long for Cora as Jacob did for Rachel, if necessary. Cora has been the inspiration of all that I have wrought, endured and achieved--and she was all that to me long before I dreamed of aspiring to her hand in marriage, and she will be as long as we both shall live in this world or the world to come." Rule bowed and left. He at once recounted to Cora the interview and the condition imposed on him. When the short season ended, and the city was tilted upside down and emptied like a bucket of half its contents, the Rockharrts went with the rest. Old Aaron was in his very worst fit of sullen ferocity. He had not been able to get a charter for clearing out the channel of the Cumberland River (another pet project of his), or even to form a company strong enough to undertake the enterprise. After a while, out of restlessness, he started with his wife, granddaughter and grandson for a tour to the Northern Pacific Coast. He spent some time in traveling through that region of country, and returned East. He stopped at West Point to leave Sylvan Haught, who had successfully passed his examination and received his appointment at the military academy. Then he took his womenkind home to Rockhold. A few days later young Rothsay was elected senator. Some weeks later Rothsay again pressed his suit on the attention of Mr. Rockharrt. But the old man was adamant. "No, sir, no! You must have a firmer foundation to build upon than the fickle favor of the public. Wait a year or two longer. Let us see whether your success is to be permanent." "But," urged Rule, "my chosen bride is twenty-three years of age, and I am twenty-seven. Time is flying."