“Um-m, well, you see I had said some pretty severe words to her and made her cry. But it is well she is gone, as I have something to say to you in private.”
“Yes sir?” said Alexander, hesitatingly and with a guilty twinge, for his conscience immediately awakened his fears. What was it his uncle wanted to say to him? Had the old man got an inkling of the cottage at Cedarwood and its inmates? Scarcely likely he thought, but still he felt uneasy until the general said:
“Alexander my boy, it is now nearly five months since the lamented death of your dear mother, my esteemed sister-in-law. And I do not for my part, see why your marriage with Anna should be longer deferred. Long engagements are very injudicious indeed; and your engagement has been an exceedingly prolonged one. And I think now that it should terminate in marriage. Come, what do you say?”
Alexander turned hot and cold; attempted to speak and failed.
The old gentleman ascribed all his emotion to excess of love, surprise and joy.
“Yes, my boy, I really mean it,” he said, smiling. “To defer the affair longer would not be so much of a respectful tribute to the memory of your dear mother, as a superstitious observance. Come! find your tongue, man! find your tongue!”
“The question must be referred to my beautiful betrothed sir. It will be for her to decide it,” said Alexander.
“Oh, aye, certainly, to be sure; it will be for her to decide it; but it will be for you to induce her to decide it in your favor, my lad,” chuckled the old gentleman. “And as you are to take her to see Saviola’s new picture to-day, you will have a fine opportunity of doing so,” he added.
At that moment the door was again opened, and Commodore Staughton was announced.
And as the old naval hero entered the room, Alexander arose and bowed and made his escape.