"My connections!" exclaimed Kingsley. "Apart from you and my mother!" "Quite so. There are families of the highest rank who would not shrink from admitting you, upon the closest terms, into their circle. Some are tottering, and fear the fall. Old estates are mortgaged up to their value, and every year makes their position worse. We, with our full purses, step in and set them right, and bury the ghosts which haunt them. There is nothing low and common about you, my boy. You are, in appearance, manners, and education, as good as the best of them, and lady mothers will only be too glad to welcome you. The first thing you must do is to marry." "Sir!" "And to marry well. I have authority for saying that you can marry the daughter of a duchess. I don't wonder that you look startled. I have seen the young lady; she is nineteen years of age, and very beautiful. Of course she knows nothing of the scheme. It is for you to win her--of which I have no fears. You can make settlements upon her, Kingsley, which would satisfy the most exacting of duchesses. The family has influence, great influence, socially and politically. Married to her, with your talents, your future is assured, if you have only a fair amount of industry. I have set my heart upon it, Kingsley." "There is the question of love, father," said Kingsley, in a low tone. It seemed to him that his father had cut the ground from under his feet. "Quite so. There is the question of love. You will win your way to her heart, without a doubt." CHAPTER VI. There occurred here a pause. Kingsley did not know what to say. His father was waiting for him to speak. "No man should think of marrying," said Kingsley, presently, "unless there is love on both sides." "There is no occasion to discuss that point," said Mr. Manners. "As you will win your way to the young lady's heart, so will she win her way to yours. Wait till you see her, and meanwhile give me your promise that you will do your best to further my wishes. I do not expect a blind compliance; you shall go to her with your eyes open, and if you do not say she is very beautiful you must be a poor judge of beauty." "But," murmured Kingsley, "to have an affair like this cut and dried beforehand for the man who is most deeply concerned--well, father, there is something sordid and mercenary in it." "There might be," said Mr. Manners, calmly, "if the young lady knew anything of it; but she knows nothing." "Yet you said you spoke with authority."