"There's little Fin's answer," said the girl, with tears in her eyes, and she held up her face and kissed him with quiet gravity. "Oh, let me go," she cried, and she struggled from his arms and fled, leaving him to turn round and face Sir Hampton and Aunt Matty, who had entered by the other door. "What does this mean, sir?" exclaimed Sir Hampton, furiously. "Er-rum! I am astounded!" "Merely, Sir Hampton, that your daughter was willing to accord to me the licence that she would to a brother." Aunt Matty was heard to mutter something about vulgar assurance, and Trevor flushed as Sir Hampton motioned him to a chair, took one, and crossed his legs; but he was determined not to be angry, and he went on-- "Our meetings, so far, Sir Hampton, have been unfortunate, and I have come over this morning to try and set myself at one with you. I presume I am to speak before Miss Rea?" "My sister is in my confidence, and is my adviser," said Sir Hampton, in the tone he had prepared for the magisterial bench. "Then, Sir Hampton, speaking as a frank, blunt sailor, I humbly ask your pardon for any lapses of politeness wherein I have been guilty, and also beg of you to forgive me for my conduct last night." "A perfect outrage--barbarous," said Aunt Matty. "Er-rum!--Matilda, let the young man speak," said Sir Hampton, magisterially. "It was, I am aware, very foolish of me, but I was carried away by my feelings. Sir Hampton Rea, I love your daughter, Valentina." "Absurd!" exclaimed Miss Matilda, who remained standing. "I ventured to tell her so last night, in explaining away a little misapprehension that had existed between us." "I never heard such assurance!" said Miss Matilda. "Matty--er-rum! Matilda, I mean, have the goodness not to interrupt the pris--I mean--er-rum--the statement that is being made." "If I could feel warrant for such a proceeding," continued Trevor, calmly, "I intended to speak to you this morning, and ask your consent, even as I spoke to Lady Rea last night, before I addressed your daughter." "Just like Fanny--encouraging it!" muttered Aunt Matty. "Go on, sir, I am listening," said Sir Hampton, telling himself this was quite a preparation for the bench. "I came, then, Sir Hampton, to formally propose for your daughter's hand. Though comparatively a stranger to you, I am well known here--of one of the most ancient county families--and I have eight thousand a year. That, Sir Hampton, is putting the matter in a plain, business-like form. If I am wanting in the proper etiquette, my excuse is my seafaring life." "Exactly," said Aunt Matty, satirically. The words "prisoner at the bar" were on Sir Hampton's lips, but he did not utter them; he only rolled his words nice and round, and infused as much dignity as was possible into his tones. "The young man" had insulted him, but he could afford to treat him with dignified composure.