Mr. Middleton fell into deep thought. It was some minutes before he spoke. When he did, it was to say: "Ishmael, Bee is my eldest daughter and favorite child." "I know it, sir," answered the young man. "Parents ought not to have favorites among their children; but how can I help it? Bee is almost an angel." "I know it, sir," said Ishmael. "Oh, yes; you know it! you know it!" exclaimed Mr. Middleton, half laughing and not far from crying; "but do you know what you do when you ask a father to give up his best beloved daughter?" "Indeed I think I do, sir; but--daughters must some time or other become wives," said Ishmael, with a deprecating smile. "Yes, it is true!" sighed Mr. Middleton. "Well, Ishmael, since in the course of nature I must some day give my dear daughter up, I would rather give her to you than to any man on earth, for I have a great esteem and affection for you, Ishmael." "Indeed, sir, it is mutual!" replied the young man, grasping the hand of his friend. "It is just the state of feeling that should exist between father- and son-in-law," said Mr. Middleton. "I have your sanction, then, to speak to Bee?" "Yes, Ishmael, yes; I will give her to you! But not yet, my dear boy; for several reasons not just yet! You are both very young yet; you are but little over twenty-one; she scarcely nineteen; and besides her mother still needs her assistance in taking care of the children; and I--must get used to the idea of parting with her; so you must wait a year or two longer, Ishmael! She is well worth waiting for." "I know it! Oh, I know it well, sir! I have seen women as beautiful, as amiable, and as accomplished; but I never, no, never met with one so 'altogether lovely' as Bee! And I thank you, sir! Oh, I thank you more than tongue can tell for the boon you have granted me. You will not lose your daughter, sir; but you will gain a son; and I will be a true son to you. sir, as Heaven hears me! And to her I will be a true lover and husband. Her happiness shall be the very first object in my life, sir; nothing in this world over which I have the slightest control shall be suffered to come into competition with it." "I am--I am sure of that, my boy!" replied Mr. Middleton, in a broken voice. "And I do not presume to wish to hurry either you or her, sir; I am willing to wait your leisure and hers; all I want now is to have an understanding with Bee, and to be admitted to the privileges of an accepted lover. You could trust me so far, sir?" "Trust you so far! Why, Ishmael, there is no limit to my trust in you!" "And Mrs. Middleton, sir?" "Why, Ishmael, she loves you as one of her own children; and I do think you would disappoint and grieve her if you were to marry out of the family. I will break the matter to Mrs. Middleton. Go find Bee, and speak to her of this matter, and when you have won her consent, bring her to me that I may join your hands and bless your betrothal."