miral
had never said a word about such matters, "you think, after all, that I
am--that I am almost as good as Dolly!"

"You jealous little vixen, I shall recall every word I have said in your
favour! My child, and my pride, you are not only as good as Dolly, but
my best hope is that when Dolly grows older she may be like you. Don't
cry, darling; I can't stand crying, when it comes from eyes that so
seldom do it. And now that you know what I think of you, allow me to
think a little for you. I have some right to interfere in your life; you
will allow that--won't you?"

"Father, you have all right, and a thousand times as much, because you
are so gentle about using it."

"I calls that bad English, as Zeb Tugwell says when he doesn't want to
understand a thing. But, my pretty dear, you must remember that you
will not have a father always. Who will look after you, when I am gone,
except the Almighty?--and He does not do it, except for the few who
look after themselves. It is my duty to consider these points, and they
override sentimentality. To me it is nothing that Dashville will be
an Earl, and a man of great influence, if he keeps up his present high
character; but it is something to me that I find him modest,
truthful, not led away by phantoms, a gentleman--which is more than a
nobleman--and with his whole heart given to my dear child Faith."

Faith sighed heavily, partly for herself, but mainly, perhaps, for the
sake of a fine heart sadly thrown away on her. "I believe he is all
that," she said.

"In that case, what more can you have?" pursued the triumphant Admiral.
"It is one of the clearest things I ever knew, and one of the most
consistent"--consistent was a great word in those days--"as well as in
every way desirable. Consider, not yourself--which you never do--but
the state of the Country, and of Dolly. They have made me a baronet,
for being away from home nearly every night of my life; and if I had
Dashville to see to things here, I might stay away long enough to be a
lord myself, like my late middy the present Duke of Bronte."

Faith laughed heartily. "You call me jealous! My dear father, I know
that you could have done a great deal more than Lord Nelson has, because
he learned all that he knows from you. And now who is it that really
defends the whole south coast of England against the French? Is it Lord
Nelson? He has as much as he can do to look after their fleet in the
Mediterranean. Admiral Cornwalli