"My good old friend, I am deeply, deeply grieved; but we must abandon this scheme. I have just seen my daughter, and from the few words which we have had together, I find that her dislike to the match is invincible, and in fact, she has obtained my promise never again to allude to it. If I were willing to constrain the feelings of my child, you yourself would not permit it. So here let us forget that we ever hoped for, ever calculated on a plan in which both our hearts were so deeply interested." These words, few as they were, were spoken with deep feeling, and for the first time, I looked upon the speaker with sincere regard. They were both silent for some minutes; Sir Guy, who was himself much agitated, spoke first. "So be it then, Callonby, and thus do I relinquish one--perhaps the only cheering prospect my advanced age held out to me. I have long wished to have your daughter for my niece, and since I have known her, the wish has increased tenfold." "It was the chosen dream of all my anticipations," said Lord Callonby, "and now Jane's affections only--but let it pass." "And is there then really no remedy, can nothing be struck out?" "Nothing." "I am not quite so sure, my Lord," said I tremulously. "No, no, Lorrequer, you are a ready witted fellow I know, but this passes even your ingenuity, besides I have given her my word." "Even so." "Why, what do you mean, speak out man," said Sir Guy, "I'll give you ten thousand pounds on the spot if you suggest a means of overcoming this difficulty." "Perhaps you might not accede afterwards." "I pledge myself to it." "And I too," said Lord Callonby, "if no unfair stratagem be resorted to towards my daughter. If she only give her free and willing consent, I agree." "Then you must bid higher, uncle, ten thousand won't do, for the bargain is well worth the money." "Name your price, boy, and keep your word." "Agreed then," holding my uncle to his promise, "I pledge myself that his nephew shall be husband of Lady Jane Callonby, and now, my Lord, read Harry vice Guy in the contract, and I am certain my uncle is too faithful to his plighted word, and too true to his promise not to say it shall be." The suddenness of this rash declaration absolutely stunned them both, and then recovering at the same moment, their eyes met. "Fairly caught, Guy" said Lord Callonby, "a bold stroke if it only succeeds." "And it shall, by G--," said my uncle, "Elton is yours, Harry, and with seven thousand a year, and my nephew to boot, Callonby won't refuse you." There are moments in life in which conviction will follow a bold "coup de main," that never would have ensued from the slow process of reasoning. Luckily for me, this was one of those happy intervals. Lord Callonby catching my uncle's enthusiasm, seized me by the hand and said, "With her consent, Lorrequer, you may count upon mine, and faith if truth must be told, I always preferred you to the other."