He joined their hands, looking earnestly at the young man.
"She is yours, Kingsland. May God deal with you, as you deal with my orphan child!"
"Amen!"
Solemnly Sir Everard Kingsland pronounced his own condemnation with the word. Awfully came back the memory of that adjuration in the terrible days to come.
"She is very young," said Captain Hunsden, after a pause—"too young to marry. You must wait a year."
"A year!"
Sir Everard repeated the word in consternation, as if it had been a century.
"Yes," said the captain, firmly. "A year is not too long, and she will only be eighteen then. Let her return to her old pension in Paris. She sadly needs the help of a finishing school, my poor little girl! My will is made. The little I leave will suffice for her wants. Mr. Green is her guardian—he understands my wishes. Oh, my lad! you will be very good to my friendless little Harrie! She will have but you in the wide world."
"I swear it, Captain Hunsden! It will be my bliss and my honor to make her my happy wife."
"I believe you. And now go—go both, and leave me alone, for I am very tired."