It was useless, the Doctor knew, to attempt coercion with Martha. If any measure could succeed in averting the threatened shame, it must be kindly persuasion, coupled with a calm, dispassionate appeal to her understanding. The quiet, gentle way in which she had met his anger, he now saw, had left the advantage of the first encounter on her side. His male nature and long habit of rule made an equal self-control very difficult, on his part, and he resolved to postpone a recurrence to the subject until he should feel able to meet his daughter with her own weapons. Probably some reflection of the kind then occupied his mind, in spite of the “Materia Medica” before him. “Father,” said Martha, seating herself with a bit of sewing in her hand, “I want to ask thee a few questions about business matters.” The Doctor looked at her. “Well, thee's taking a new turn,” he remarked. “Is it anything very important?” “Very important,” she answered; “it's about my own fortune.” “I thought thee understood, Martha, that that matter was all fixed and settled, until thee's twenty-five, unless--unless”-- Here the Doctor hesitated. He did not wish to introduce the sore subject of his daughter's marriage. “I know what thee means, father. Unless I should sooner marry, with thy consent. But I do not expect to marry now, and therefore do not ask thy permission. What I want to know is, whether I could not obtain a loan of a small sum of money, on the security of the legacy?” “That depends on circumstances,” said the Doctor, slowly, and after a long pause, during which he endeavored to guess his daughter's design. “It might be,--yes, it might be; but, Martha, surely thee doesn't want for money? Why should thee borrow?” “Couldn't thee suppose, father, that I need it for some good purpose? I've always had plenty, it is true; but I don't think thee can say I ever squandered it foolishly or thoughtlessly. This is a case where I wish to make an investment,--a permanent investment.” “Ah, indeed? I always fancied thee cared less for money than a prudent woman ought. How much might this investment be?” “About six hundred dollars,” she answered. “Six hundred!” exclaimed the Doctor; “that's a large sum to venture, a large sum! Since thee can only raise it with my help, thee'll certainly admit my right, as thy legal guardian, if not as thy father, to ask where, how, and on what security the money will be invested?” Martha hesitated only long enough to reflect that her father's assertion was probably true, and without his aid she could do nothing. “Father,” she then said, “_I_ am the security.” “I don't understand thee, child.” “I mean that my whole legacy will be responsible to the lender for its repayment in three years from this time. The security _I_ ask, I have in advance; it is the happiness of my life!” “Martha! thee doesn't mean to say that thee would”-- Dr. Deane could get no further. Martha, with a sorrowful half-smile, took up his word.