elings on the subject, Col. Anglesea had no fears
of the final result; nor was he in such special haste as to think it
necessary to trouble Mr. Force with his suit on this same night, when the
good gentleman should return, weary from his day's attendance at court.

Therefore he resolved to defer the important interview until the next
morning, when his own method of procedure might also be more matured.

Mr. Force, in fact, came home rather late that evening. Tea had been kept
waiting for him so long that it was nearly nine o'clock when the family
assembled around the table.

There were Mr. and Mrs. Force, Col. Anglesea, Miss Meeke, Wynnette and
Elva; but there was one absentee.

"Where is Odalite?" inquired her father, looking around the table.

"She has gone to bed with a nervous headache," replied her mother.

"Nothing serious, I hope," said the father, uneasily.

"Oh, no, nothing at all serious," answered the mother.

"I never knew Odalite to have a headache in her life before," said Mr.
Force.

"No, but then--

"'Such things must begin, some day,'"

quoted the lady, with a forced smile.

Col. Anglesea engaged Mr. Force in conversation to draw off his attention
from Mrs. Force, who seemed to have some difficulty in maintaining her
self-possession.

After tea his host proposed a game of whist, and the party of four grown
people sat down to a rubber.

Col. Anglesea and Mrs. Force played against Mr. Force and Miss Meeke.

The colonel and the hostess beat the rubber. And soon afterward the circle
separated and retired to rest.

It was just after breakfast the next morning when Col. Anglesea said to
his host:

"Force, can you give me a few moments private conversation before you go
away this morning?"

"Certainly. Come in here," said the master of the house, leading the way
to the vacant drawing room, and wondering much what Anglesea could
possibly have to say to him in private.

"You will be very much surprised, and, I fear, very much displeased at
what I am about to say to you; and yet, Force, I must say it. No other
course is open to me, as a man of honor!" began Col. Anglesea, when the
key was turned in the door and both men were seated.

"Whatever can you have to say to me that requires such deep solemnity of
introduction?" demanded Mr. Force, with a light laugh, and yet with some
uneasiness.

"It is this, then. Do not be offended. But I cannot help it--I love your
daughte