CHAPTER X.
THE GORDIAN KNOT.
Walter, however, would not despair until he had laid the alternative before his father.

He did so, firmly but coolly.
His father, irritated by the scene with Bartley, treated Walter's proposal with indignant scorn.
Walter continued to keep his temper, and with some reluctance asked him whether he owed nothing, not even a sacrifice of his prejudices, to a son who had never disobeyed him, and had improved his circumstances.
"Come, sir," said he; "when the happiness of my life is at stake I venture to lay aside delicacy, and ask you whether I have not been a good son, and a serviceable one to you ?" "Yes, Walter," said the Colonel, "with this exception." "Then now or never give me my reward." "I'll try," said the grim Colonel; "but I see it will be hard work.
However, I'll try and save you from a _mesalliance_." "A _mesalliance_, sir?
Why, she is a Clifford." "The deuce she is!" "As much a Clifford as I am." "That is news to me." "Why, one of her parents was a Clifford, and your own sister.

And one of mine was an Irish woman." "Yes; an O'Ryan; not a trader; not a small-coal man." "Like the Marquis of Londonderry, sir, and the Earl of Durham.

Come, father, don't sacrifice your son, and his happiness and his love for you, to notions the world has outlived.

Commerce does not lower a gentleman, nor speculation either, in these days.