THE FLORAL TELEGRAPH. 71 
“ Sir Eustace also lived in her 
smiles, but often sighed that she was 
not a boy. Yet he loved her not the 
less. When she had attained the 
age of eighteen, he began to plot, 
and ponder, and contrive, in what 
manner he should preserve his own 
name in the grandchildren that he 
hoped to have upon his knees, and 
to bless before he died. To effect 
this, he went through that worst 
of ordeals of agony to a proud man, 
solicitation ; he humbled himself be¬ 
fore the Earl of Astleton, and sought 
from his numerous sons one who 
might bear his name to posterity, and 
wear the brightest jewel as a bride 
