CHAPTER I.


"Why do you persist in refusing to receive the addresses of Willard Duffel,
when you know my preference for him?"

"Because I do not like him."

"'Do not like him,' forsooth! And pray, are you going to reject the best
offer in the county because of a simple whim? the mere fancy of a
vain-headed, foolish and inexperienced girl? I did not before suppose that
a daughter of mine would manifest such a want of common sense."

"Whether my opinions of men are made up of that rare article so
inappropriately called 'common sense' or not, is a question I shall not
attempt to decide; it is sufficient for me to know that I have my 'likes
and my dislikes,' as well as other folks, and that it is my _right_ to have
them."

"Oh, yes! _you_ have rights, but a _parent_ has not, I suppose!"

"You know very well, father, that I do not deserve an insinuation of that
kind from you: I have always regarded your wishes, when expressed, save in
this one instance, and I have too much at stake, in so serious a matter, to
lightly throw aside my own opinions."

"Yes, yes, you have been the most obliging of daughters, to hear your own
story; but no sooner does a point of any moment come up, upon which we
happen to disagree, than my wishes are as nothing--a mere school-girl whim
is set up in opposition to them, and that, too, without even a shadow of