"Not if your own happiness depended upon it?"
"No," said Clara, who played the rôle of a dutiful daughter for this occasion; "I can't go against papa's wishes."
"May I call upon him, and ask his consent?"
"Perhaps that will be the best way."
"I will ask to-morrow."
"Is it necessary to be in such haste, Mr. Cromwell?"
"I cannot rest until I know. I cannot remain in suspense. Will you allow me to call to-morrow?"
"Yes, I think so," said Clara, coquettishly, "that is, if I do not change my mind during the night."
By such speeches as these she added fuel to the flame of her lover's adoration, and increased his impatience to obtain a favorable decision.
When Clara returned home her father happened to be still up. He had become interested in something that he was reading, and this caused him to defer his hour of retiring.