"Well, Sir Hampton," said Vanleigh, modestly, after a pause, during which he sat with his eyes on the carpet, "this is all so new to me, and you have confused me so with your kind invitation, that my business--our business--comes doubly hard to us to state." "Er-rum--pray go on," said Sir Hampton, smiling condescendingly, for all this was sweet to his soul; two scions of aristocratic houses with sense enough to respect his position in life. Captain Vanleigh might have borrowed a hundred pounds on the instant had he liked; but he was playing for higher stakes. "Then, if you won't speak, Landells, I must," said Vanleigh, who seemed overcome with confusion. "No doubt there is a proper etiquette to be observed in such cases, but I confess I am too agitated to recall it, and I merely appeal to you, Sir Hampton, as a gentleman and a parent." Sir Hampton bowed, and uttered a cough that seemed wrapped up in cotton wool, it was so soft. "The fact is, Sir Hampton, we have been here now three weeks--Landells and I--and we have been so charmed, so taken with your sweet daughters, that, in this hurried, confused way--I tell you, in short, we thought it right, as gentlemen, to come first and tell you, to ask you for your permission to visit more frequently, to be more in their society--to, in short, make formal proposals for their hands." There was another soft cough, and Vanleigh continued-- "I hope I am forgiven, Landells, for my awkward way?" "Yes. Pray go on; capital," said Landells, who was perspiring profusely. "It is only fair to say how we are placed in the world, Sir Hampton. My friend there, Sir Felix, has his eight thousand per annum; and it will increase. For myself, I am but a poor officer of the Guards." "Er-rum! a gentleman is never poor," said Sir Hampton, with dignity. "I think I can say no more, Sir Hampton," said Vanleigh, bowing to the compliment. "You see now my hesitation about the dinner; for, of course, if you refuse to regard our application favourably, to-morrow we should--eh, Landells?" "Back--town--certainly," said Sir Felix, wiping his face. "Er-rum!" said Sir Hampton, rising, and placing a hand in his breast. "Gentlemen, you take me by surprise, and you ask a great deal in-- er-rum--I say you ask a great deal--I, er-rum, I--honoured by your-- er-rum--proposals--and--and--er-rum, if I express myself badly, it is a father's emotion. In short, I--er-rum--gentlemen--I, er-rum, give both my full consent to visit here as often as you wish, and Lady Rea and my daughters shall be acquainted with your proposals. I can, er-rum, say no more now. Let us join the ladies." Sir Felix, with tears in his eyes, took and wrung the old man's hand, and, as the friends followed him out, Vanleigh bestowed upon the young baronet a most solemn, but very vulgar, wink. Volume 2, Chapter IX. AN INTERVIEW WITH BARNEY STURT.