You may speak to her; but with the clear understanding, remember, that I will on no account allow her to marry for some time to come; I do not want to allow it before she is twenty-four or five." "Thank you," said Keith heartily; "that will be a long time to wait, but she is well worth waiting for.

But do you think I have any reason to hope to win her--that she likes me in the very least ?" "I am certain she has no dislike to you; that she feels kindly toward you as a relative and friend of the family; but I tell you candidly that I am well-nigh convinced that she has never thought of looking upon you as a lover; and it is a great happiness to me to be able to believe that she still loves her father better than any other man living." "Still it is possible you may be mistaken," Keith rejoined after a moment's discouraged silence, "and since I have your permission, I shall try what clever courting will do for me." A momentary silence followed, broken by Captain Raymond.

"I fear I am a foolish, fond father, Keith.

I have a very strong friendship for you, and there is no man to whom I would sooner trust my daughter's happiness, but yet I cannot wish you success in winning her; because, being in the army, you would necessarily take her to a distance from her home and me.

But, as I have said, you may try, though with the full understanding that not for some years to come will I resign my custody of her.