“Hark ye, my lord,” said the young man, after a brief pause, looking up with a wine-glass in his hand, “I have to say to you, that one of my settled plans has been considerably upset this morning.” “Ah, how is that?” “Let me answer by asking a question: Was there ever, between my father and Sir William Chester, a settled plan that Cordelia and I should marry?” The old man started, and an expression of pain settled upon his countenance. “You know, don’t you?” Matthew added, as his grandfather did not speak. “Was it not a settled plan between the two fathers, before Sir William and his child left India, that Cordelia and I should become man and wife?” “My dear boy,” the earl replied, speaking slowly and earnestly and with evident pain, “I know all about it; I know all that was said, and all that was done. Have you ever believed that such an arrangement was made?” “I certainly have.” “What reason had you for the belief? Surely I never told you so.” “Perhaps you never did; but you have gone on, allowing me to--” “Hush! Hush, my boy. You surely can have no cause of complaint against me. Never before have you spoken to me on the subject.” “At all events,” insisted the youth, “you should have known that I was likely to fall in love with the beautiful girl and to want her for my wife.” “Well, and what then? If you honestly love her, and will solemnly swear to be to her a true and loving husband, you shall have my consent, with God’s blessing.” “Aye, but suppose the girl should refuse me?” “Then, of course, that would be the end.” “And you would put up with it, would you?” “What do you mean, Matthew, by that?” “You would allow the girl to have her own way? You would not make an effort to influence her?” “To influence her to what?” “To accept your grandson for a husband.” The old man started and a perceptible shudder shook his strong frame. He looked again into the dark face before him, and thought of the precious darling who looked to him for care and protection. “Did you understand me?” Lord Oakleigh asked, with a show of temper, as his grandfather continued to gaze upon him in silence. “Yes, Matthew, I understood you but too well. I am surprised that you should put such a question to me.” “In Heaven’s name! why surprised? Is it surprising that I should wish to make Cordelia Chester my wife?” “Not at all; but I am surprised that you should for one moment suppose that I would urge her to marry against her will. In fact, my boy, I gave to her father, when he lay dying, a solemn promise that I would never do any such thing. She should not be asked to marry without love.” “Oho-ho-oo!” The angry man laughed coarsely and contemptuously. “If you stick to that you’ll be likely to send your fair ward to a grand market! Do you know whom she will marry if she weds with the man of her heart’s desire?” “Boy! What do you mean?”