ights which no _gentleman_ will for a moment dream of
infringing or disputing; in virtue of these, therefore, I must insist
that, henceforward, you never presume to address my daughter in the
language of love. Nay, do not look so angry, my young friend; I meant
not to speak quite so harshly, but I was and am most anxious you should
understand that there must be an end to all this business."

"May I venture to ask your grounds for insisting so strongly on what
will inevitably wreck the happiness of one if not of two persons!" I
demanded, not quite as respectfully as I ought, I am afraid.

"Assuredly," answered Don Luis; "it is the difference in position--the
difference of rank--which exists between yourself and my daughter. In
every other respect I have not a fault to find. You are a fine, gallant
young fellow--your fame has reached even to La Guayra, I may tell you--I
believe you to be perfectly honourable, honest, and straightforward, and
I feel sure that you will advance rapidly in your profession; but, my
dear young friend, you are not _noble_; and you are consequently quite
ineligible--"

"Not noble--ineligible!" I interrupted. "Have you forgotten that I am
an officer of the British navy? Or is it that you are unaware of the
fact that every wearer of our uniform--"

"Is qualified by it to stand in the presence of kings?" retorted he with
a laugh. "Oh, yes, I know all this; but it does not alter facts one
iota.--There," he continued, "we will say no more about it; we quite
understand each other, I am sure; I have demanded that you will respect
certain rights of mine, and you _will_ respect them, as any other
gentleman would. Now let us talk about something else."

"One moment, Don Luis," said I, "and then, if you choose, we will drop
the subject for ever. I acknowledge your rights, and will respect them.
But--understand me, sir--I will _never_ give up the hope of winning
your daughter--with your approval--until I learn that she is wedded to
someone else. And I shall most assuredly tell her so, before I fall
back into the position of a mere ordinary acquaintance to which you wish
to relegate me."

Don Luis laughed a little, said that, after all, what I insisted upon
was perhaps only fair, and then the subject was dropped and we had a
long and quite friendly chat about other matters. I then learned that
the poor fellow was in trouble with his government, and was going home,
in something almost like di