What he told that gentleman, what he said of me and Helena, of my poor talents and her beauty, may be gathered from the fact that the old admiral agreed first to buy me a partnership in some established firm, and then swore a mighty oath, that if the heiress was, at the end of twelve months, willing to marry his nephew, he would make him his heir. "I should like to have you with me, Patterson," said Mr. Craven, when we were discussing my uncle's proposal, which a few weeks after took me greatly by surprise; "but, if you remain here, Miss Blake will always regard you as a clerk. I know of a good opening; trust me to arrange everything satisfactorily for you." Whether Miss Blake, even with my altered fortunes, would ever have become reconciled to the match, is extremely doubtful, had the _beau monde_ not turned a very decided cold-shoulder to the Irish patriot. Helena, of course, everyone wanted, but Miss Blake no one wanted; and the fact was made very patent to that lady. "They'll be for parting you and me, my dear," said the poor creature one day, when society had proved more than usually cruel. "If ever I am let see you after your marriage, I suppose I shall have to creep in at the area-door, and make believe I am some faithful old nurse wanting to have a look at my dear child's sweet face." "No one shall ever separate me from you, dear, silly aunt," said my charmer, kissing first one of her relative's high cheek-bones, and then the other. "We'll have to jog on, two old spinsters together, then, I am thinking," replied Miss Blake. "No," was the answer, very distinctly spoken. "I am going to marry Mr. Henry Patterson, and he will not ask me to part from my ridiculous, foolish aunt." "Patterson! that conceited clerk of William Craven's? Why, he has not darkened our doors for fifteen months and more." "Quite true," agreed her niece; "but, nevertheless, I am going to marry him. I asked him to marry me a year ago." "You don't mane that, Helena!" said poor Miss Blake. "You should not talk like an infant in arms." "We are only waiting for your consent," went on my lady fair. "Then that you will never have. While I retain my powers of speech you shall not marry a pauper who has only asked you for the sake of your money." "He did not ask me; I asked him," said Helena, mischievously; "and he is not a beggar. His uncle has bought him a partnership, and is going to leave him his money; and he will be here himself to-morrow, to tell you all about his prospects." At first, Miss Blake refused to see me; but after a time she relented, and, thankful, perhaps, to have once again anyone over whom she could tyrannise, treated her niece's future husband--as Helena declared--most shamefully. "But you two must learn to agree, for there shall be no quarrelling in our house," added the pretty autocrat. "You needn't trouble yourself about that, Helena," said her aunt.