"Oh, do you speak to him," exclaimed Julia. "You can plead the perfect right you had to win my affections; your position in the navy, and your prospects of rising; the ample means you already possess; and the gallant deeds you have performed. He cannot possibly blame you. And tell him that my heart and hand are pledged to you, and that though I will not disobey him by marrying against his will, I will never marry any one else." Headland undertook to act as Julia advised. They might enjoy an hour now in each other's society before Sir Ralph was likely to be disengaged, and how rapidly those moments flew by; but both felt that the time was come for a frank statement of their case. They returned to the house confident in each other's love, and supported with the hopes that whatever clouds might now arise they would in time be dissipated. Sir Ralph was alone in his study. Captain Headland knocked at the door, and was requested to enter. "I must apologise for intruding on you, Sir Ralph, but before I leave Texford there is a matter of consequence on which I wish to speak to you," he said. The baronet motioned him to take a chair nearly opposite where he himself sat. "Pray, Captain Headland, what is it?" he asked, in a calm tone. "I earnestly wish to make your daughter my wife, and I have her permission to request that you will give your sanction to our marriage when I next return on shore." "A very clear if not a very modest request," exclaimed the baronet, with a well-feigned look of surprise. "Do I understand that Miss Castleton has pledged her hand to you without my sanction?" "My express object in now speaking to you is to obtain that sanction," answered Headland, with all the calmness he could command. "I am not at all disposed to give it unless to a man her equal in birth and family, and before I can reply, I must beg that you will inform me to what family you belong, and what means you possess." Headland briefly described his position. "I have, however, every prospect of rising in the service, and of adding to the credit which, with honest pride, I may venture to say, I have already gained. I have your daughter's authority for telling you that she will marry no one else till I return to ask her hand." The baronet listened to him calmly without speaking till he had finished.