“‘Because he loves me, and I love him; now the cat’s out of the bag.’
“‘Nonsense, child! I implore you not to talk so foolishly.’
“‘No nonsense about it at all; pray where does the foolish part come in? Is it wrong, papa, to love such a dear fellow as my Eddie?’
“‘It was wrong for a girl of your age to enter into an engagement without consulting any one; and that was what I wished to speak to you about.’
“‘Oh, indeed! was it? Now, you dear old darling, you aren’t going to scold me about it, are you? No, of course you won’t; if you do, I’ll make your tea as weak as water, and I’ll put pepper in your toast till it shall burn you up, indeed I will!’
“‘I couldn’t have the heart to scold my darling!’
“As Mr. Rockland said this he threw his arms round her waist and drew her to his heart, covering her brow with a kiss. Mr. Rockland was vanquished; her charms were irresistible; and the great lawyer, with nerves of steel and an iron will, who could brow-beat witnesses, intimidate judges and over-ride facts, found himself confounded, vanquished and helpless—all done by a pretty face and two large, dreamy blue eyes. The truth of the matter is, Mr. Rockland loved Lottie so devotedly that he was unable to withstand her displeasure.
“‘Take a seat, Lottie,’ he said, ‘and let us come to an understanding in this business at once; sit down, and we will talk the matter over dispassionately, like sensible people.’
“Lottie took a chair on the opposite side of the table, and fixing her beautiful eyes on him, said:
“‘I’ll hear what you have to say, papa.’