"But before I attempt to give you any advice, I must know whether you are really in earnest in this business. Yes; I know you say you're 'hard hit,' and 'serious this time,' and a lot of stuff that I've heard you say a dozen times before about a dozen different girls. What I want to know is, do you really think seriously of marrying Miss Guyon? Has it entered your mind to regard it from any other point than the mere calf-love view, what you in your slang call 'being spooney' upon her? I mean, Gordon, old fellow,--I'm a solemn old fogey, you know; but it's in the fogey light that such a solemn thing should be looked at--are you prepared to take Miss Guyon as your wife?"
"On my sacred honour, Charley, there's nothing would make me so happy."
"Then the honourable way to go to work is to see Mr. Guyon at once and speak to him. Tell him your feelings and----"
"And my prospects, eh, Charley? He's safe to ask about them."
"Well, you can tell him what you've just said of your father's position, and what you intend to ask him to do for you. And then----"
"Yes; and then?"
"Well, then you'll hear what he's got to say to that."
"Ye-es; it won't take me very long to listen to an exposition of Mr. Guyon's views on my financial position, I take it. However, I'm almost certain--quite certain, I may say--of Kate; and as you think it's due to her to speak to her father----"
"I'm sure of it, Gordon. It's the only honourable course."
"Well, then, I'll do it at once, though I don't much like it, I can tell you."