, he ambled back to the centre of the worn Bokhara
rug that had been under the _prie-Dieu_ in the oratory of James II. at
Dublin Castle, and resumed. "We have all heard of Captain Mildare. At the
taking of Ali Musjid--arah!--at Futtehabad, with Gough--arah!--and at
Ahmed Khel, where Stewart cut up the Afghans so tremendously, Mildare
earned great distinction as well as the Victoria Cross, which I am
delighted to see, in glancing through the _Army and Navy Gazette_, Her
Majesty has been pleased to confer upon him. As a gentleman and a soldier
he presents all that is desirable; as a member of an old Catholic family,
he certainly commands my suffrages. But as the husband of my eldest
daughter I cannot look upon a younger son with--arah!--toleration.
Honourable reputation is much, bravery is much, but my son-in-law must
possess--arah!--other--other qualifications." The old gentleman stuttered
pitiably.

"_One_ other qualification, you mean, father, if that term can be given to
the possession of a certain amount of money," said Lady Bridget-Mary,
standing very straight and looking very proudly at her father. "Will you
object to telling me plainly for how much you would be content to sell
your stock, with goodwill?"

Lord Castleclare was a thin, courtly old gentleman, who had conquered, he
humbly trusted, all his passions, except the passion for early Catholic
Theological Fathers and the passion for Spanish snuff. But he was stung by
the irony. He spilt quite a quantity of choice mixture over the long,
ivory-yellow nail of his lean, delicate thumb as he looked consciously
aside from the great scornful grey eyes that judged and questioned and
condemned him as a mercenary old gentleman. And he caught himself wishing
that this fine fiery creature had been born a boy. He looked back again at
his eldest daughter. Her white arms were folded upon her bosom, her
pearl-coloured silk evening gown was swept aside from the fire, to whose
warmth she held an arched and exquisite foot. Her noble head, with its
rich coronet of silken black coils, was bent; her broad brows had ceased
to be stormy. With a half-dreamy smile upon her beautiful firm mouth, she
was looking at a green flashing ring she wore on the third finger of her
left hand. And the sight of her so sent a sudden pang of remembrance
leaping through the old man's heart. He forgot his spoiled pinch of snuff,
and stepped over to her, and took the hand, and looked at the emerald ring