The Commodore turned pale, choked a little, and turning on his heel, he said, in a broken voice:
"I hope you may be happy."
As he passed out the door a tear rolled down his cheek. "That's pretty hard," said Barnum.
"Yes it is hard," said Lavinia, "and I am very sorry. Only I couldn't help it. It was all the fault of your emerald and diamond ring."
Half an hour later the Commodore returned to the office and said:
"Mr. Barnum do you think it would be right for Miss Warren to marry Charlie Stratton if her mother should object?"
"No, indeed," replied Mr. Barnum.
"Well, she says she will marry him anyway; that she gives her mother the chance to consent, but if she objects, she will have her way and marry him."
"On the contrary," said Barnum, "I will not permit it. She is engaged to go to Europe with me, and I will not release her if her mother does not consent to her marriage."
The Commodore's eyes glistened, and he said: "Between you and me,
Mr. Barnum, I don't believe she will consent."