"But, uncle, I never did ask you to give me a new ribbon. I never
asked you to give me anything for myself; nor do I ask this for
myself."

"Do you think that if I could do it,--which of course I can't,--I
would not sooner do it for you, who are my own flesh and blood, than
for him, who is a stranger?"

"Nay; he is no stranger. He has sat at your desk and obeyed your
orders for nearly four years. Papa says that he has done well in
the bank."

"Humph! If every clerk that does well,--pretty well, that is,--
wanted a partnership, where should we be, my dear? No, my dear, go
home and tell him when you see him in the evening that all this must
be at an end. Men's places in the world are not given away so
easily as that. They must either be earned or purchased. Herbert
Onslow has as yet done neither, and therefore he is not entitled to
take a wife. I should have been glad to have had a wife at his
age,--at least I suppose I should, but at any rate I could not
afford it."

But Isa had by no means as yet done. So far the interview had
progressed exactly as she had anticipated. She had never supposed
it possible that her uncle would grant her so important a request as
soon as she opened her mouth to ask it. She had not for a moment
expected that things would go so easily with her. Indeed she had
never expected that any success would attend her efforts; but, if
any success were possible, the work which must achieve that success