The earnestness, deepening almost into solemnity, of the young man’s manner and words, impressed Mr. Clifton very deeply, but he replied—“Mr. Fairfax, it is best to speak the plain, harsh, cutting truth, though that truth is the axe laid to the root of all your hopes of Zuleime. No. Yet I regret this, Frank! You do not know how much! But you must forget her! I hope you will soon do so! I know you must!”
Frank shook his head in despairing negation. And farther colloquy was arrested by the coming down of Zuleime equipped for her ride.
“Come here, my daughter! Now you must be sure to be back by dinner time, do you hear?”
“Certainly, sir!”
“Promise me.”
“Of course I do.”
“Upon your honor!” said the old man, seriously.
“Upon my honor, sir, I will return by dinner time! But what makes you so emphatic about it, dear father?”
“A notion of mine, my child! but I have your promise!”
“Of course you have, sir!” said Zuleime, drawing on her gloves.