"I have come, Major Grayson," said Vernon Carbury, "to speak to you under the name by which you were known, and honoured, and deeply respected in her late Majesty's army, and I wish to say at once that it is only as Major Grayson that I can treat with you in this matter. I am anxious that you should give me for all time the hand of your only child, Heather Grayson. I wish to make her my wife. I love her beyond words, and I believe she is not indifferent to me. I do not require any money with her; I am neither rich nor poor, but I have enough to support her, and I believe I can make her happy. I shall certainly endeavour to shelter her from the evils of this wicked world. It is true that I was for a short time engaged to another lady, but that engagement is broken off, with perfect satisfaction on both sides. I now beg of you to allow me to pay my addresses to your daughter, for I love her with all my heart and soul." "You amaze me," said my father. "And allow me to tell you, Captain Carbury," said Lady Helen, rising from her seat, and coming forward, "that my stepdaughter Heather is not for you, for she is now the affianced wife of Lord Hawtrey of Leigh." [Illustration: "'Allow me to tell you, Captain Carbury,' said Lady Helen, 'that my stepdaughter is not for you.'"] "That is not the case," I answered. Vernon Carbury had very bright eyes, and they flashed an angry fire; but when he turned and gave me a quick glance, and saw the fire of anger in my eyes, all indignation passed out of his. His eyes smiled. "Child," said my father, coming up to me, "this is not the place for you. I must request you, Heather, to leave us for the present." "Father! oh, father!" I said. I spoke exactly as I used to do when I was a little child. I took his hand and drew him imperiously outside the door. "Father," I whispered, "Lord Hawtrey did--oh, very, very kindly, too--he _did_ ask me last night to marry him, and oh! he was most good--but, darlingest Daddy, I could not marry him, for I do not love him one bit--I mean, not that way, Daddy. Why, Daddy, he is old enough to be my father, and I only want one father, and you are he; but I do--yes, I do care for Vernon Carbury. Please, please, father, think of our great unhappiness if we are parted, and of our wonderful joy if you allow us to be engaged to each other!" "I will do my utmost, my poor little one--my utmost," he answered. "Gordon, we are waiting for you," said Lady Helen's hard voice, and then he wrenched my hands away from his neck, and returned to the room where Lady Helen and my lover were to fight a battle for me. Oh, if only father would be strong and take my part!