her the pain of doing so--for I know her kind heart would feel it
a pain--but as I am not sure of her feelings, it is only fair and just to
her to let her know of mine and abide the issue," he decided that he would
not go away without speaking, yet that he would first ask the consent of
her natural guardians.

He therefore seized the first opportunity when alone with Mr. Dinsmore to
tell of his love for Violet, and ask if he could obtain his and the
mother's consent to the prosecution of his suit.

Mr. Dinsmore seemed both surprised and moved. He did not speak for a
moment, then, with a heavy sigh, "Has it come to this already," he said
"that we are likely to lose our little Vi? I don't know how either her
mother or I can ever do without her! ever make up our minds to resign her
to any one else!"

"I don't wonder at it, sir," the captain said with feeling. "But may I
understand that you do not object to me personally?"

"No, sir, oh no! I see no objection to you more than to any other, except
disparity of years, Violet being so young; and that is not so great as it
was between her parents."

"Then you give me some hope?"

"If you have won her affections, yes. How is it in regard to that?"

"I have said no word to her on the subject, Mr. Dinsmore--feeling that the
more honorable course was first to ask permission of her mother and
yourself--and am by no means certain that she cares for me at all except
as a friend of the family and of her cousin, Lieut. Keith. Have I your
consent, sir?"

"I will talk with my daughter, captain, and let you know the result."

He rose as if to leave the room, but the captain detained him.

"Let me tell you," he said, coloring in spite of himself, "that I am not
rich, having very little beside my pay."

"That is a matter of small importance," Mr. Dinsmore answered in a kindly
tone, "seeing that riches are so apt to take wings and fly away, and that
the Master said, 'A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the
things which he possesseth.' If her mother's wealth remains, Violet will
be well provided for, as I presume you are aware, yet I cannot for a
moment suppose you capable of seeking her on that account. In fact," he
concluded with a smile, "the child has nothing at all of her own, and her
mother can, should she choose, leave her penniless."

"And I should be more than willing to take her so, if I could get her,"
the captain answered, returning the smile; "it would be