His state of mind was not a thing at which he arrived immaturely. The proposition had come to him with something of a shock. He had never contemplated Garde’s marriage at all. She was still a child to him, or at least, she had been, up to the moment when Randolph spoke. Not the least difficult of his tasks with himself had been that of compelling himself to admit that Garde had actually arrived at the threshold of womanhood—that she was marriageable. This having been finally accomplished, Randolph had half won his battle.
As long as Garde would presently desire to marry, then why not Randolph, especially as such an alliance would be of such tremendous political significance? Yet he continued still to tell himself that Ruth’s child should not be coerced in any direction whither she was not counseled by her heart and her own inclination to proceed. He could see no reason, however, why she should entertain any notions which might be at variance with his own. Nevertheless it was not without emotion that he finally summoned Garde to the interview in which he meant to broach the proposition.
“My child,” he began, “I have desired to have a talk with you, which bears upon matters of some importance to you and of vast significance to the state.”
“Yes, Grandther,” said Garde dutifully, and she sat down with her knitting. “I suppose you are going to England at last.”
“That remains to be seen,” said David. “The need for something to be done is great. No loyal soul in all our commonwealth could wish for aught but a chance to serve this colony in her present straits. Have you great love for Massachusetts and her people, Garde?”
“Is not love a passion?” she answered, without raising her eyes from her work.
“Love of one’s country is not an unseemly passion,” said her grandfather.
“Then I have for Massachusetts a seemly regard,” said Mistress Merrill, who had given all her love elsewhere.
“And could you sacrifice somewhat of your personal thoughts, and mayhap desires, for the colony? Could you be a little patriot in the hour of your country’s need, my child?” asked the old man, his look intent upon her face.
Garde thought he doubtless referred to his projected trip abroad. She was inclined to believe that she could endure the personal sacrifice of living with the Soams during his absence.