avor was not so easy a task,
as the young man soon found. His offered hand was firmly declined.

"Am I to consider your present decision as final?" said the young
man, in surprise and disappointment.

"I wish you to do so, Mr. Mortimer," said Flora.

"Your father approves my suit," said he. "I have his full consent to
make you this offer of my hand."

"I cannot but feel flattered at your preference," returned Flora;
"but, to accept your offer, would not be just either to you or
myself. I, therefore, wish you to understand me as being entirely in
earnest."

This closed the interview and definitely settled the question. When
Mr. Johnson learned that the offer of Mortimer had been declined, he
was very angry with his daughter, and, in the passionate excitement
of his feelings, committed a piece of folly for which he felt an
immediate sense of shame and regret.

The interview between Mr. Mortimer and Flora took place during the
afternoon, and Mr. Johnson learned the result from a note received
from the disappointed young man, just as he was about leaving his
store to return home. Flora did not join the family at the
tea-table, on that evening, for her mind was a good deal disturbed,
and she wished to regain her calmness and self-possession before
meeting her father.

Mr. Johnson was sitting in a moody and angry state of mind about an
hour after supper, when a domestic came into the room and said that
Mr. Watson was in the parlor.

"What does he want here?" asked Mr. Johnson, in a rough, excited
voice.

"He asked for Miss Flora," returned the servant.

"Where is she?"

"In her room."

"Well, let her stay there. I'll see him myself."

And without taking time for reflection, Mr. Johnson descended to the
parlor.

"Mr. Watson," said he, coldly, as the young man arose and advanced
towards him.

His manner caused the visitor to pause, and let the hand he had
extended fall to his side.

"Well, what is your wish?" asked Mr. Johnson. He looked with knit
brows into Watson's face.

"I have called to see your daughter Flora," returned the young man,
calmly.

"Then, I wish you to understand that your call is not agreeable,"
said the father of the young lady, with great rudeness of manner.

"Not agreeable to whom?" asked Watson, manifesting no excitement.

"Not agreeable to me," replied Mr. Johnson. "Nor agreeable to any
one in this house."

"Do you speak for your daughter?" inquired the young man.

"I hav