to get over it?'

'I haven't ventured to ask her yet.'

'What do you mean to ask her?'

'Well, of course--if she will--have me.'

'Yes, naturally. But I mean when----'

'When do I mean to ask her?'

'No; when do you propose to marry her?'

'Well, of course, when we have settled ourselves again in Gloria, and
all is right there. You don't fancy I would do anything before we have
made that all right?'

'But all that is a little vague,' the Dictator said; 'the time is
somewhat indefinite. One does not quite know what the young lady might
say.'

'She is just as enthusiastic about Gloria as I am, or as you are.'

'Yes, but her father. Have you said anything to him about this?'

'Not a word. I waited until I could talk of it to you, and get your
promise to help me.'

'Of course I'll help you, if I can. But tell me, how can I? What do you
want me to do? Shall I speak to Sir Rupert?'

'If you would speak to him after, I should be awfully glad. But I don't
so much mind about him just yet; I want you to speak to her!'

'To Miss Langley? To ask her to marry you?'

'That's about what it comes to,' Hamilton said courageously.

'But, my dear love-sick youth, would you not much rather woo and win the
girl for yourself?'

'What I am afraid of,' Hamilton said gravely, 'is that she would pretend
not to take me seriously. She would laugh and turn me into ridicule, and
try to make fun of the whole thing. But if you tell her that it is
positively serious and a business of life and death with me, then she
will believe you, and she _must_ take it seriously and give you a
serious answer, or at least promise to give me a serious answer.'

'This is the oddest way of love-making, Hamilton.'

'I don't know,' Hamilton said; 'we have Shakespeare's authority for it,
haven't we? Didn't Don Pedro arrange for Claudio and Hero?'

'Well, a very good precedent,' Ericson said with a smile. 'Tell me about
this to-morrow. Think over it and sleep over it in the meantime, and if
you still think that you are willing to make your proposals through the
medium of an envoy, then trust me, Hamilton, your envoy will do all he
can to win for you your heart's desire.'

'I don't know how to thank you,' Hamilton exclaimed fervently.

'Don't try. I hate thanks. If they are sincere they tell their tale
without words. I know you--everything about you is sincere.'

Hamilton's eyes glistened with joy and gratitude. He would have liked to
seize his