The father, open-hearted and generous himself, was fond to believe what he wished: and confiding in these promises, the old man forgave all that he did not otherwise approve of in his future son-in-law, and thanked him almost with tears in his eyes; still repeating, as his natural penetration remonstrated against his credulity, “But I could hardly have believed this from such a young man as you, Captain Connal. Indeed, how you could ever bring yourself to think of settling in retirement is wonderful to me; but love does mighty things, brings about great changes.” French commonplaces of sentiment upon love, and compliments on Dora’s charms and his own sensibility, were poured out by Connal, and the father left the room satisfied. Connal then, throwing himself back in his chair, burst out a laughing, and turning to Ormond, the only person in the room, said, “Could you have conceived this?” “Conceived what, sir?” said Ormond. “Conceived this King Corny’s capacity for belief? What!--believe that I will settle in his Black Islands!--I!--As well believe me to be half marble, half man, like _the unfortunate_ in the Black Islands of the Arabian Tales. Settle in the Black Islands!--No: could you conceive a man on earth could be found so simple as to credit such a thing?” “Here is another man on earth who was simple enough to believe it,” said Ormond, “and to give you credit for it.” “You!” cried Connal--“That’s too much!--Impossible!” “But when you said it--when I heard you promise it to Mr. O’Shane--” “Oh, mercy!--Don’t kill me with laughing!” said he, laughing affectedly: “Oh! that face of yours--there is no standing it. You heard me _promise_--and the accent on _promise_. Why, even women, now-a-days, don’t lay such an emphasis on _a promise_.” “That, I suppose, depends on who gives it.” said Ormond. “Rather on who receives it,” said Connal: “but look here, you who understand the doctrine of promises, tell me what a poor conscientious man must do who has two pulling him different ways?” “A conscientious man cannot have given two diametrically opposite promises.”