“I do feel like it!” and the Major squared his shoulders with a movement of resolution—“But I don’t mean to make myself a slave to personal prejudice. And I have not refused Nugent—but I have said he must wait a year.”
“That’s exactly what I told Violet!” said Miss Letty triumphantly.
Desmond looked at her wistfully.
“There you are, you see! Everything proves as plainly as possible that we two ought to have been one, Letty! Our wits jump together by mutual consent. Well now, I have told this golden-crusted millionaire that I cannot permit any sort of engagement to exist between him and my young niece for twelve months. After that time is ended, if both he and she are of the same mind, I will consent to an engagement,—the marriage to follow in six months afterwards. He was very loth to agree to these terms—but finally, as I would hear of nothing else, he consented. And what does Violet say?”
“She is willing to do anything you wish,” said Miss Letty.
“Yes—she is willing to do anything you wish!” echoed a soft voice behind them.
They both started and turned round. There stood Violet, just returned from her dance, looking the very perfection of sweet girlhood, in her simple white ball-dress, with a knot of carnations on her bodice, and a little wisp of tulle thrown over her head and shoulders. Her face was smiling, but her eyes were soft and serious, and as soon as she saw she was perceived, she came forward and knelt down with a pretty grace at her uncle’s feet.
“She is willing to do anything you wish!” she repeated—“Dearest uncle, you know I am!”
The old Major patted her head kindly.
“Yes, child!—I am sure you are! And so you have been playing the eavesdropper, eh? Now, who brought you home from the dance just now?”