nk
thirty such a very great age, you may be sure! And, I didn't say, too,
that you should have to wait seven years, or anything like it--although,
if you really love Miss Min, you would think nothing of twice that time
of probation. As for Jacob's age, the vicar could explain about that
better than I, Master Frank, sharp though you are; you had best ask him
what he thinks on the subject? What I say, is, my boy, that you must
make up your mind to work, and wait for your sweetheart; work, at any
rate--and wait, if needs be. `Rome wasn't built in a day;' and, when
did you ever hear of the course of true love running smooth? Be a man,
Frank! Say to yourself, `I'll work and win her,' and you will. Put
your heart in it, and it will soon be done--sooner than you now think.
There's no good in your sitting down and whining at your present defeat,
like the naughty child that cried for the moon! You must be up and
doing. A man's business is to overcome obstacles; it is only us, women,
who are allowed to cry at home!"

"But, Mrs Clyde dislikes me," I said.

"What of that?" retorted Miss Pimpernell; "her dislike may be overcome."

"I don't think it ever will be," I said, despondingly.

"Pooh, Frank," replied the old lady;--"`never is a long day.' She's
only a woman, and will change her mind fast enough when it suits her
purpose to do so! You say, that she only objected on the score of your
position, and from your not having a sufficient income?"

"Yes,"--I said,--"that was her ostensible reason; but, I think, she
objects to me personally--in addition to having other and grander
designs for Min."

"Ah, well,"--said Miss Pimpernell,--"we haven't got to consider those
other motives now; she rejected your offer, at all events, on the plea
of your want of fortune?"

"Yes," said I, mechanically, again.

"Then, that is all we've got to deal with, my boy,"--she said.--"Mrs
Clyde is quite right, too, you know, Frank. You have got no profession,
or any regular occupation. Let us see if we cannot mend matters. In
the first place, are you willing to work? Would you like some certain
employment on which you can depend?"--And she looked at me kindly but
searchingly over her spectacles.

"Would a duck swim?" said I, using an expressive Hibernicism.

"Well, what sort of employment would you like?" she asked.

"Anything," I replied.

"Come, that's good!" she said.--"And what can you do?"

"Everything," I said.

She l