"Pardon me, Captain, I--I do not think Miss Monk can know anything of this. I am sure she did not last night. I come to you with her full consent and approbation." "I care nothing about that. My daughter is aware that any attempt to oppose her will to mine would be utterly futile. Young Tom Rivers has written to me to ask for her; I have accepted him, and I choose that she shall accept him. She'll like it herself, too; it will be a good match." "Young Tom Rivers is next door to a simpleton: he is not half-baked," retorted Mr. Hamlyn, his own temper getting up: "if I may judge by what I've seen of him in the field." "Tom Rivers is a favourite everywhere, let me tell you, sir. Eliza would not refuse him for you." "Perhaps, Captain Monk, you will converse with her upon this point?" "I intend to give her my orders--if that's what you mean," returned the Captain. "And now, sir, I think our discussion may terminate." Mr. Hamlyn saw no use in prolonging it for the present. Captain Monk bowed him out of the house and called his daughter into the room. "Eliza," he began, scorning to beat about the bush, "I have received an offer of marriage for you." Miss Eliza blushed a little, not much: few things could make her do that now. Once our blushes have been wasted, as hers were on Robert Grame, their vivid freshness has faded for ever and aye. "The song has left the bird." "And I have accepted it," continued Captain Monk. "He would like the wedding to be early in the year, so you may get your rattle-traps in order for it. Tell your aunt I will give her a blank cheque for the cost, and she may fill it in." "Thank you, papa." "There's the letter; you can read it"--pushing one across the table to her. "It came by special messenger last night, and I have sent my answer this morning." Eliza Monk glanced at the contents, which were written on rose-coloured paper. For a moment she looked puzzled. "Why, papa, this is from Tom Rivers! You cannot suppose I would marry _him_! A silly boy, younger than I am! Tom Rivers is the greatest goose I know." "How dare you say so, Eliza?" "Well, he is. Look at his note! Pink paper and a fancy edge!" "Stuff! Rivers is young and inexperienced, but he'll grow older--he is a very nice young fellow, and a capital fox-hunter. You'd be master and mistress too--and that would suit your book, I take it. I want to have you settled near me, Eliza--you are all I have left, or soon will be." "But, papa----" Captain Monk raised his hand for silence. "You sent that man Hamlyn to me with a proposal for you. Eliza; you _know_ that would not do. Hamlyn's property lies in the West Indies, his home too, for all I know. He attempted to tell me that he would not take you out there against my consent; but I know better, and what such ante-nuptial promises are worth. It might end in your living there." "No, no." "What do you say 'no, no' for, like a parrot? Circumstances might compel you. I do not like the man, besides."