“Let me answer by asking a question: Was there ever, between my father and Sir William Chester, a settled plan that Cordelia and I should marry?”
The old man started, and an expression of pain settled upon his countenance.
“You know, don’t you?” Matthew added, as his grandfather did not speak. “Was it not a settled plan between the two fathers, before Sir William and his child left India, that Cordelia and I should become man and wife?”
“My dear boy,” the earl replied, speaking slowly and earnestly and with evident pain, “I know all about it; I know all that was said, and all that was done. Have you ever believed that such an arrangement was made?”
“I certainly have.”
“What reason had you for the belief? Surely I never told you so.”
“Perhaps you never did; but you have gone on, allowing me to—”
“Hush! Hush, my boy. You surely can have no cause of complaint against me. Never before have you spoken to me on the subject.”
“At all events,” insisted the youth, “you should have known that I was likely to fall in love with the beautiful girl and to want her for my wife.”
“Well, and what then? If you honestly love her, and will solemnly swear to be to her a true and loving husband, you shall have my consent, with God’s blessing.”