The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-10-17

the honor of your daughters hand in
marriage"
"Whatl Good God, are you out of your
mindg' cried John Vernon. He fell
backward a few PAGES and stared at his
visitor with the blank stupidity OF be-
wildered and incredulOus amazement; he
had always heard that his neighbor of
Ladysrood was capricious and eccentric.
Was he left now, he asked himself, in the
presence of a madman?
"It is not complimentary either to her
or to me that you should be so greatly as
tonished?" said Guilderoy with annoy
ance. "Allow me TO repeat my words. |
have come over this morning to solicit
the honor of your daughters hand. My
position is known to you, and on my
character, though it might not satisfy pre-
cisans, YOU will not tiLa any very serious
stain. venture to think that my pro-
posals may not be altogether intolerable to
you"
"It is not that" said John Vernon, still
breathless. at is-it is-the child is a
child-she is not of marriageable years
she is a baby-and good heavensl you
have only seen her for ten minutes, yes
terday. My dear Lord Guilderoy, if this
be not a joke; if it be not part of some
comedy, of some enigma to which have
not the key"
"Can you suppose that should insult
you by jests on such a subject? l was
never more serious in my life"
"Then l must gratefully and respect
fully decline the honor you propose to do
myself and my daughter" replied John
Vernon with the tone and air of person
who closes a subject which cannot be re-
opened.
"Why?" asked Guilderoy, coldly.
"Why y?"-Vernon repeated the word
in vague bewilderment. "Why? Why, L
have a thousand reasons. have said she
is the merest child. She knows nothing
of you; you know nothing of her. How
can you ask me why? My dear lord, it is
a kind of insanity. l may appear dis
courteous and ungrateful in declining
your overtures so abruptly, but it is in truth
question which does not bear discus
sion"
every question bears discussion if it
carries no insult with it, and you cannot
consider that my desires insult you," re-
piled Guilderoy, who controlled his tenn
per with effort.
"Insult-no. am sure you do not mean
it as that" said Vernon, infinitely amazed,
troubled, and annoyed. "But the mere
idea is intolerable, insane, preposterous.
You were kind to a child yesterday, and
this morning you wish to marry her
Good God! 1t is only few months ago
that she was a baby playing with toy
lamb. Ny dear Lord GuilderOy. ii indeed
YOU are serious, this is midsummer mad
ness. You have eaten of the drug OF Love
in Idleness, and Titania and her crew have
PLAYED with you. Go home and laugh at
your freak tomorrow, and thank the fates
that L am not man TO take you at your
word and keep you to it. Good day.
81 shall not 90 away until | have re-
ceived from you such answer as l wish, !"
replied Guilderoy. The unlooked-for op-
position famed his new desires into
double warmth.
GAS a visitor you are the most welcome
to my house, but it is the only welcome l
can give you," replied Vernon. 81 doubt
nv own senses when think of the things
YOU have said, of the amazing errand on
which you have come here. | still feel as
if it must be only in jest that you are
speaking; some jest of which am as yet
too stupid to see the point"
"My dear sir" said Guilderoy impa-
tiently, ''you think me very ill-bred if
could possibly presume to jest on such a
subject have never seen anyone mar
TldRtdDl6 WnOlu Il 81 lhuCil sto 4
admire your daughter, and told my sister
last evening that l should come here to
solicit her hand in all seriousness"
"Her handl She is q baby | tell you.
A little rustic A mere country mouse,
with not a penny to her fortune"
The daughter OF Mr.. Vernon of Liam
arth has one heritage at least which kings
might envy" said Guilderoy with his
courtliest grace and an accent of reverent
sincerity.
81 thank you," said Vernon with some
emotion.
He had never supposed that any one
remembered an act which had always
seemed to him very simple and always alb
solutely enjoined by duty and honor.
"But there is something more for me
to do" he added, "than in all seriousness
to reply that l must with regret decline
the honor of the alliance which you pro-
pose to me"
The face of Guilderoy flushed with
anger and offense.
81 repeat that you cannot refuse to al
lege your reasons, at least"
''Certainly not; they are simple and
obvious. The child is too young, and you
are a stranger to us both"
"If these be your only reasons they are