and--"

"But," I interrupted emphatically, "I will not have it so. It is every
man's sweet privilege to woo the woman of his choice in his own way. It is
not a trouble to me; it is a pleasure, and it is every woman's right to be
wooed by the man who seeks her. I again insist that I only shall speak to
Dorothy on this subject. At least, I demand that I be allowed to speak
first."

"That's all damned nonsense," responded Sir George; "but if you will have
it so, well and good. Take your own course. I suppose it's the fashion at
court. The good old country way suits me. A girl's father tells her whom
she is to marry, and, by gad, she does it without a word and is glad to
get a man. English girls obey their parents. They know what to expect if
they don't--the lash, by God and the dungeon under the keep. Your
roundabout method is all right for tenants and peasants; but among people
who possess estates and who control vast interests, girls are--girls
are--Well, they are born and brought up to obey and to help forward the
interests of their houses." The old man was growing very drunk, and after
a long pause he continued: "Have your own way, Malcolm, but don't waste
time. Now that the matter is settled, I want to get it off my hands
quickly."

"I shall speak to Dorothy on the subject at the first favorable
opportunity," I responded; "but I warn you, Sir George, that if Dorothy
proves disinclined to marry me, I will not accept her hand."

"Never fear for Doll; she will be all right," and we parted.

Doll all right! Had he only known how very far from "all right" Dorothy