I am not very old now, you know," and she smiled sweetly on him.
"No, no; but a year makes so much difference.

You were all but a child then.

You do not love him now, Clara ?" "No; I do not love him now," she had answered.
And then he exacted a second, a third, a fourth assurance, that she did absolutely, actually, and with her whole heart love him, him Herbert, in lieu of that other him, poor Owen; and with this he, Herbert, was contented.

Content; nay, but proud, elated with triumph, and conscious of victory.

In this spirit he rode home as fast as his horse could carry him.
He too had to tell his tale to those to whom he owed obedience, and to beg that they would look upon his intended bride with eyes of love and with parental affection.