THE SMUGGLER. 377 



when they had entered, and the door was shut, " for what I 

 have to say will be easily answered. I am sensible, that 

 yesterday my attention to your youngest daughter must have 

 been remarked by you, and, indeed my manner altogether 

 must have shown you, and herself also, that I feel differently 

 towards her and other women. I do not think it would bo 

 right to continue such conduct for one moment longer, without 

 your approbation of my suit; and I can only farther say, that 

 if you grant me your sanction, I feel that I can love her deeply 

 and well, that I will try to make her happy to the best of my 

 power, and that my fortune is amply sufficient to maintain her 

 in the station of life in which she has always moved, and to 

 make such a settlement upon her as I trust will be satisfactory 

 to you. I will not detain you to expatiate upon my feelings ; 

 but such is a soldier's straightforward declaration, and I trust 

 you will countenance and approve of my addressing her." 



Sir Robert Croyland shook him warmly by the hand. 

 " My dear Sir Edward,' 3 he said, "you are your father's own 

 son ; frank, candid, and honourable. He was one of the most 

 gentlemanly and amiable men I ever knew; and it will give 

 me heartfelt pleasure to see my dear child united to his son. 

 But, indeed, I must deal with you as candidly." He hesi- 

 tated for a moment or two, and then went on, " Perhaps you 

 think that circumstances here are more favourable than they 

 really are. Things may come to your knowledge things may 

 have to be related, Zara's fortune will be " 



Sir Edward Digby saw that Sir Robert Croyland was 

 greatly embarrassed; and for an instant, for love is a very 

 irritable sort of state, at least for the imagination, and he was 

 getting over head and ears in love, notwithstanding all his 

 good resolutions; for an instant, I say, he might think that 

 Zara had been engaged before, and that Sir Robert was about 

 to tell him that it was not the ever-coveted, first freshness of 

 the heart he was to possess in her love, even if it were gained 

 entirely. But a moment's thought, in regard to her father's 

 situation, together with the baronet's last words, dispelled that 

 unpleasant vision, and he replied, eagerly, " Oh! my dear sir, 

 that can make no difference in my estimation. If I can ob- 

 tain her full and entire love, no external circumstance what- 

 soever can at all affect my views. I only desire her hand." 



" No external circumstances whatsoever 1" said Sir Robert 



