"Very well, dear. And--stay, darling, if I should not be here when you come back, run down to the shore after the moon is up, and I will tell you what answer your uncle gives my suit." "Very well; I will do so," she answered. "But I am sure that Uncle Francis will keep you to dinner, so I shall see you directly I come down." He pressed her hand and she tripped across the piazza into the hall, and then ran up the broad stair-way to her room with a lighter heart than ever beat in her breast again. Leslie Dane walked down the piazza to where Bonnibel's uncle and guardian, Francis Arnold, the millionaire, sat in his easy-chair puffing his evening cigar, and indolently watching the blue wreaths of smoke curling over his head. Mr. Arnold was a spare, well-made man of sixty-five, with iron-gray hair and beard. His well-cut features were sharp and resolute in contour, and betokened more sternness than Bonnibel Vere ever dreamed of in his unfailing tenderness to herself. He was elegantly dressed, and wore a costly diamond ring on his little finger. As the young man drew near, the stately millionaire arose and acknowledged his respectful greeting with considerable cordiality. "Ah! Dane, good-evening. Have a seat and join me in a cigar." "Thank you, I do not smoke," answered the young artist, politely, "but I am sorry to interrupt your enjoyment of that luxury." "It does not matter," said the millionaire, tossing his own cigar away and resuming his seat. "Sit down, Dane. Well, how do you get on with your pictures?" The dusky, handsome face lighted up with pleasure. "Famously, thank you. I have sold two little pictures in New York lately at quite a fair valuation, and the critics have praised them. They say I have genius and should study under the best masters." "Indeed! I congratulate you," said Mr. Arnold, cordially. "Do you think of taking their advice?" "I do. I shall sail for Rome very soon now, and study there a year or two," said Leslie, his features beaming with pleasure. "I believe I shall succeed in my ambition. I feel within myself the promptings of genius, and I know that my persistent labor will conquer fame and fortune." The elder man regarded him with some surprise. He had never seen him so enthusiastic on any subject before, even that of his beloved art. "You seem very sanguine and determined," he observed with a smile. "I _am_ determined," answered Leslie, gravely. "I mean to _conquer_ success. You remember the hackneyed quotation: "'In the proud lexicon of youth which fate reserves to a bright manhood, There is no such a word as Fail!'" "I did not know you had such a towering ambition, Dane," said the millionaire, with a smile. "My ambition is no higher than my hopes, Mr. Arnold, for I have come here this evening to ask you for the hand of Miss Vere when I shall be in a position worthy of that high honor!" "Sir!" The word rolled out of the millionaire's mouth like a thunder-clap.