"Oh! father," said she imploringly, "I thought it was a dream, but he
is going, he is really going. Oh! don't let him go from us; speak him
fair, father, his spirit is so high!"

"Susan!" replied the old farmer, "mayhap the lad thinks me his enemy,
but I'm not. My daughter shall not marry a bankrupt farmer, but you
bring home a thousand pounds--just one thousand pounds--to show me
you are not a fool, and you shall have my daughter and she shall have
my blessing."

Meadows exulted.

"Your hand on that, uncle," cried George, with ardor; "your hand on
that before Heaven and all present."

The old farmer gave George his hand upon it.

"But, father," cried Susan, "your words are sending him away from me."

"Susan!" said George sorrowfully but firmly, "I am to go, but don't
forget it is for your sake I leave you, my darling Susan--to be a
better man for your sake. Uncle, since your last words there is no
ill-will; but (bluntly) I can't speak my heart before you."

"I'll go, George, I'll go; shan't be said my sister's son hadn't leave
to speak his mind to letbe who atool,* at such a time."

*Let be who it will. Cui libet.

Merton turned to leave them, but ere he had taken two steps a most