34 ^ THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
passed it would not only be ungrateful, but cruel, 
to interpose any slight objections or delay to a 
gratification of your wishes, and it would be a 
rude insult to stop and question your worthi¬ 
ness or motives; and so, if you desire a more in¬ 
timate relation with a family which has nothing 
to give but an untarnished name and the assur¬ 
ance of the inestimable value of the one whom 
we must surrender to cement the bond of union, 
you are at liberty to enter into any engage¬ 
ments with my daughter which may be mutu¬ 
ally agreeable.” 
“ Thanks, dear madam—most hearty thanks,” 
was the ardent response of the young man, “for 
your kind approval of my suit for your daugh¬ 
ter’s favor; and I hope that I may be as success¬ 
ful in the response which Alice may decide to 
make to my proposal.” 
The pause which followed this remark Alice 
understood as it was intended, as an appeal to 
her for some expression of her feelings. From 
her increased agitation it was evident that a 
powerful struggle was going on, and so no in¬ 
terruption was offered to the full flow of her 
emotions. Two or three attempts were made 
by her to leave her resting-place on the mater- 
