Harry rose also, but lifted his hand to arrest the financier.
"Pardon me, there is something else; I wouldn't mention it, but I hear
you are going to leave to-morrow and go abroad with--Miss Armorer.
I am conscious I haven't introduced myself very favorably,
by refusing you a favor when I want to ask the greatest one possible;
but I hope, sir, you will not think the less of a man because he is
not willing to sacrifice the interests of the people who trust him,
to please ANYONE. I--I hope you will not object to my asking
Miss Armorer to marry me," concluded Harry, very hot and shaky,
and forgetting the beginning of his sentences before he came
to the end.

"Does my daughter love you, do I understand, Mr. Lossing?"

"I don't know, sir. I wish I did."

"Well, Mr. Lossing," said Armorer, wishing that something in the young
man's confusion would not remind him of the awful moment when he asked
old Forrester for his Jenny, "I am afraid I can do nothing for you.
If you have too nice a conscience to oblige me, I am afraid it will be
too nice to let you get on in the world. Good-morning."

"Stop a minute," said Harry; "if it is only my ability to get
on in the world that is the trouble, I think ------"

"It is your love for my daughter," said Armorer; "if you don't love
her enough to give up a sentimental notion for her, to win her,
I don't see but you must lose her, I bid you good-morning, sir."