but don't you: and, if
you wound him, you wound me; he carries my heart in his bosom."

Mr. Carden promised he would do his duty as kindly as possible; and with
that Grace was obliged to content herself.

When he opened the library door, young Little started up, his face
irradiated with joy. Mr. Carden smiled a little satirically, but he was
not altogether untouched by the eloquent love for his daughter, thus
showing itself in a very handsome and amiable face. He said, "It is not
the daughter this time, sir, it is only the father."

Little colored up and looked very uneasy.

"Mr. Little, I am told you pay your addresses to Miss Carden. Is that
so?"

"Yes, sir."

"You have never given me any intimation."

Little colored still more. He replied, with some hesitation, "Why, sir,
you see I was brought up amongst workmen, and they court the girl first,
and make sure of her, before they trouble the parents; and, besides, it
was not ripe for your eye yet."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm no match for Miss Carden. But I hope to be, some day."

"And she is to wait for you till then?"

"She says she will."

"Well, Mr. Little, this is a delicate matter; but you are a
straightforward man, I see, and it is the best way. Now I must do my
duty as a parent, and I am afraid I shall not be able to do that without
mortifying you a little; but believe me, it is not from any dislike or
disrespect to you, but only because it IS my duty."

"I am much obliged to you, sir; and I'll bear more from you than I would
from any other man. You are her father, and I hope you'll be mine one
day."

"Well, then, Mr. Little, I always thought my daughter would marry a
gentleman in this neighborhood, who has paid her great attention for
years, and is a very suitable match for her. You are the cause of
that match being broken off, and I am disappointed. But although I am
disappointed, I will not be harsh nor unreasonable to you. All I say is
this: my daughter shall never marry any man, nor engage herself to any
man, who cannot make a proper settlement on her. Can YOU make a proper
settlement on her?"

"Not at present," said Little, with a sigh.

"Then I put it to you, as a man, is it fair of you to pay her open
attentions, and compromise her? You must not think me very mercenary; I
am not the man to give my daughter to the highest bidder. But there is a
medium."

"I understand you, sir, so far. But what am I to do? Am I to leave off
loving, a