“I have not inquired the origin of this depression,” I added—“that would have been indiscreet—though I know Will would tell me. I guessed it, however, and I have visited the young lady at her house to-night. I will certainly use my utmost exertions to remove all obstacles.”
General Davenant suddenly rose erect. His eye was flashing.
“I beg you will not, colonel!” he exclaimed. “The barrier between himself and—Miss Conway—can never be removed.”
I looked at the speaker’s flushed face with positive wonder, and replied:—
“You astonish me, general! Are there any such obstacles in life?”
“There are!”
I made no reply.
“There are, colonel,” repeated the now fiery old soldier. “Judge Conway has been guilty of a gross wrong to me. No son of mine shall ever form an alliance with his family!”
I looked up with deep astonishment.
“This is a very great surprise to me, my dear general,” I said; “I thought, from many things, that it was Judge Conway who opposed this alliance; and from the belief that you had done him some great wrong.”