“Ay, but that hour came near bringing death and desolation into the most charming family in the colony; and you have been the means of averting the heaviest part of the blow. I wish to Heaven, Littlepage, that you would consent to come into the army! Join us as a volunteer, the moment we move, and I will write to Sir Harry to obtain a pair of colours for you. As soon as he hears that we are indebted to your coolness and courage for the life of Miss Mordaunt, he will move heaven and earth, to manifest his gratitude. The instant this good parent made up his mind to accept Miss Mordaunt as a daughter, he began to consider her as a child of his own.” “And Anneke--Miss Mordaunt, herself, Mr. Bulstrode---does she regard Sir Harry as a father?” “Why, that must be coming by slow degrees, as a matter of course, you know. Women are slower than us men to admit such totally novel impressions; and I dare say Anneke fancies one father enough for her, just at this moment: though she sends very pleasant messages to Sir Harry, I can assure you, when in the humour! But, what makes you so grave, my good Corny?” “Mr. Bulstrode, I conceive it no more than fair, to be as honest as yourself in this matter. You have told me that you are a suitor for Miss Mordaunt's hand; I will now own to you that I am your rival.” My companion heard this declaration with a quiet smile, and the most perfect good-nature. “So you actually wish to become the husband of Anneke Mordaunt, yourself, my dear Corny, do you?” he said, so coolly, that I was at a loss to know of what sort of materials the man could be made. “I do, Major Bulstrode--it is the first and last wish of my heart.” “Since you seem disposed to reciprocate my confidence you will not take offence if I ask you a question or two!” “Certainly not, sir; your own frankness shall be a rule for my government.” “Have you ever let Miss Mordaunt know that such are your wishes?” “I have, sir; and that in the plainest terms--such as cannot well be misunderstood.” “What! last night?--On that infernal ice!--While she thought her life was in your hands!” “Nothing was said on the subject, last night, for we had other thoughts to occupy our minds.” “It would have been a most ungenerous thing to take advantage of a lady's fears--” “Major Bulstrode!--I cannot submit--” “Hush, my dear Corny,” interrupted the other, holding out a hand in a most quiet and friendly manner; “there must be no misunderstanding between you and me. Men are never greater simpletons, than when they let the secret consciousness of their love of life push them into swaggering about their honour; when their honour has, in fact, nothing to do with the matter in hand. I shall not quarrel with you; and must beg you, in advance, to receive my apologies for any little indecorum into which I may be betrayed by surprise; as for great pieces of indecorum, I shall endeavour to avoid _them_.”