When Mrs. Royden learned that the young lady was heiress to a comfortable fortune left her by a near relative, she was quite ready to forgive her son's rashness. But his father reprimanded him severely.
"I hope you have given up the foolish idea of marrying the romantic girl," he said.
"No, sir,—never!" exclaimed Chester, fervently. "If I lose her, I shall never marry. I have her promise, and I can wait. It will not be long before she can marry without her father's consent as well as with it."
"But what do you intend to do, in the mean time?" asked Mr. Royden, in a rather bitter tone.
"I would like," replied Chester, more humbly, as if anxious to propitiate his father,—"I would like to commence with the next term at the L—— Institute."
"A beautiful way you have gone to work to encourage me in what I am doing for you!" interrupted Mr. Royden. "No, Chester! I shall not hear a word to your going to L——. You must stay at home now until you are of age."
The young man leaned his head upon his hand, and looked gloomily at the floor. His father broke the silence.
"A boy of your years to talk of marrying! Preposterous!"
"I have no idea of it, within a year or two," said Chester. "But let things take their course. Do you expect me now to stay at home?"
"Why not?"