"Because your son may now be at Stillyside, and,
whilst we are haggling, may carry off my ward, -- or
I might change my mind," he answered.

"And I, too, may change mine," was the rejoinder.

"Why, then, we are quits;" observed the advo-
cate carelessly, and as if all parley were at an end;
"we are as we were, and, for the young ones, they
are as they were; but if I know the force of youthful
blood, you, with all your endeavours, will not be able
long to keep them apart."

"What is your price for her expatriation?"
demanded the seigneur sullenly, as if coming to terms;
and the advocate replied:

"No, marry her, marry her; we will have her
married. We either marry her or do nothing in this
business, sir, which, after all, were, perhaps, best left
to those who have most interest in it; -- but if you
think differently, be it yours to find the money, I
will find the match: -- and let it be understood, that
you find her a dowry which would be fitting for a
seigneur's daughter; or else, without a dowry, I shall
not scruple to give her to a seigneur's son. Why
are you silent?"

The proud, perplexed parent made no answer, but
secretly groaned in his dilemma, and at length ex-
claimed: "Insatiate old man, have you no son, the
thought of which may teach you to be just towards
me and mine? What do I ask of you? Little, -- or
what would cost you little, yet you ask a fortune of
me; and to enrich, too, one, whom, as a punishment,
I have reason rather to desire should always be poor.
Do not deny it; she has ensnared my son. It is
impossible, that he who has roamed over half the

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v?