"And if I were, sir?"
"Then—I fear—that there may be trouble in store for you," said the doctor, gravely. "Mrs. St. Clare would never sanction it."
"But she has sanctioned it, Uncle Hugh. She sanctions it every day of her life."
"Has she told you so?"
"Not in words. But she sees how much I and Daisy are together, and she allows it. That will be all right, Uncle Hugh."
"Daisy? Let me see? Oh, that is the young one: she is a nice little girl. I cannot say I like the elder. But——"
"But what, sir?"
"You are by nature over-sanguine, Frank; and I cannot help thinking that you are so in this. Rely upon it, there is some mistake here. Mrs. St. Clare is a proud, haughty woman, remarkably alive, unless I am in error, to self-interest. She would not be likely to give a daughter to one whose prospects are so uncertain as yours."
"But I am wishing to make my prospects more certain, you see, uncle. And I can assure you she approves of me for Daisy."
"Well, well; if so, I am glad to hear it. Nevertheless it surprises me. I should have supposed she would look higher for suitors for her daughters. The little girl is a nice girl, I say, Frank, and you have my best wishes."