"Oh, true, money is very good in its way; but then, you see, young fellows are not always to be coerced. I believe there is a very strong attachment between your son and my cousin Nan." "It has cost me a great deal of vexation," replied Mr. Mayne very testily,--all the more that his resolution was wavering. "I do not wish to hurt your feelings, Sir Henry, but this confounded dressmaking of theirs----" But here Sir Harry stopped him by a most extraordinary facial contraction, which most certainly resembled a wink. "Hush!" he exclaimed, in a very loud whisper. "It does not matter to me, of course; but if I were you, I would not mention this little fact to any one else. Girls are girls, and they will have their fling. A good steady husband, that is what they want, the best of them, to sober them when the right time comes. I mean to put a stop to this nonsense; but after all, a little bit of larking like that with a lot of high-spirited generous creatures, what does it matter in the long run? You just settle things with me off-hand, and I will come to terms with the young ladies. I am the head of the family, as they know." And Sir Harry threw out his big chest with a sudden movement of importance and pride. "I am the head of the family: they will be pleased to remember that," he repeated pompously. It was just at this moment, when victory lay within his grasp, that Dick sauntered lazily into the room. Dick was in an execrable humor: he was tired and worried, and his boots were muddy. And what was the use of being still contumacious, unless his obstinacy were to be a spectacle to men and gods,--unless he were to flaunt his ill humor in the face of his tyrant, and make his father's soul wretched within him? Such is youthful reasoning, that hates to veil its feelings unobserved. Dick had not perceived Sir Harry's card, so he stared at the intruder a little coolly. Sir Harry returned his look with a glance of mingled surprise and amusement. "Is this the young gentleman in question?" he asked, in a tone that roused Dick's ire. To tell the truth, he was a little disappointed by Nan's choice. It was not so much Dick's want of good looks, but in Sir Harry eyes he appeared somewhat insignificant; and then a scowl is not always becoming to a face. Dick's bright genial expression was wanting; he looked a little too like his father at this moment for Sir Harry's taste. "Do you mean me?" observed Dick, in a magnificent tone. "Is it I who am the young gentleman in question?--Father, will you have the goodness to introduce me to this gentleman with whom you have been talking me over?" And Dick twirled his moustache angrily. Mr. Mayne looked at his son's moody face, and his feelings underwent a sudden revulsion; but before he could speak Sir Harry stepped in nimbly before him: