He interrupted himself to tell me some of the feats of gallantry of his younger days, and of the manner in which he had at last carried off my mother from a rascal of a rival--a Lord Mowbray of those times. When my father had got to this point, my mother ventured to ask whether I had ever gone so far as to propose, actually to _propose_, for Miss Montenero. “Yes.” Both father and mother turned about, and asked, “What answer?” I repeated, as nearly as I could, Mr. Montenero’s words--and I produced his note. Both excited surprise and curiosity. “What can this obstacle--this mysterious obstacle be?” said my mother. “An obstacle on their side!” exclaimed my father: “is that possible?” I had now, at least, the pleasure of enjoying their sympathy: and of hearing them go over all the conjectures by which I had been bewildered. I observed that the less chance there appeared to be of the match, the more my father and mother inclined towards it. “At least,” said my mother, “I hope we shall know what the objection is.” “It is very extraordinary, after all, that it should be on their side,” repeated my father. My mother’s imagination, and my father’s pride, were both strongly excited; and I let them work without interruption. CHAPTER XVII. The time appointed for Mr. Montenero’s final decision approached. In a few days my fate was to be decided. The vessel that was to sail for America was continually before my eyes. It was more difficult to me to endure the suspense of these few days than all the rest. My mother’s sympathy, and the strong interest which had been excited on the subject in my father’s mind, were at first highly agreeable; but there was so much more of curiosity and of pride in their feelings than in mine, that at last it became irksome to me to hear their conjectures and reflections. I did not like to answer any questions--I could not bear to speak of Berenice, or even of Mr. Montenero. I took refuge in silence--my mother reproached me for my silence. I talked on fast of any thing but that which interested me most.