receive her. There,--that is enough. Dismiss the notion so lightly
entertained. And farewell."

"Madam," answered Kenelm very earnestly, "believe me, that had I not
entertained the hope approaching to conviction that the reasons you
urge against my presumption will not have the weight with my parents
which you ascribe to them, I should not have spoken to you thus
frankly. Young though I be, still I might fairly claim the right to
choose for myself in marriage. But I gave to my father a very binding
promise that I would not formally propose to any one till I had
acquainted him with my desire to do so, and obtained his approval of
my choice; and he is the last man in the world who would withhold that
approval where my heart is set on it as it is now. I want no fortune
with a wife, and should I ever care to advance my position in the
world, no connection would help me like the approving smile of the
woman I love. There is but one qualification which my parents would
deem they had the right to exact from my choice of one who is to bear
our name. I mean that she should have the appearance, the manners,
the principles, and--my mother at least might add--the birth of a
gentlewoman. Well, as to appearance and manners, I have seen much of
fine society from my boyhood, and found no one among the highest born
who can excel the exquisite refinement of every look, and the inborn
delicacy of every thought, in her of whom, if mine, I shall be as
proud as I shall be fond. As to defects in the frippery and tinsel of
a boarding-school education, they are very soon remedied. Remains
only the last consideration,--birth. Mrs. Braefield informs me that
you have assured her that, though circumstances into which as yet I
have no right to inquire, have made her the ward of a man of humble
origin, Miss Mordaunt is of gentle birth. Do you deny that?"