“I should consider my birth and position great misfortunes, if they blinded me to the plainest principles of truth and justice,” rejoined Mr. Percival.

The highly conservative gentleman made no reply, but rose to take leave.

“Did your friends the Fitzgeralds return with you?” inquired Mrs. Delano.

“No,” replied he.  “They intend to remain until October, Good evening, ladies.  I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing you again.”  And with an inclination of the head toward Mr. Percival, he departed.

“Why did you ask him that question?” said Flora.  “Are you afraid of anything?”

“Not in the slightest degree,” answered Mrs. Delano.  “If, without taking much trouble, we can avoid your being recognized by Mr. Fitzgerald, I should prefer it, because I do not wish to have any conversation with him.  But now that your sister’s happiness is no longer implicated, there is no need of caution.  If he happens to see you, I shall tell him you sought my protection, and that he has no legal power over you.”

The conversation diverged to the Alhambra and Washington Irving; and Flora ended the evening by singing the Moorish ballad of “Xarifa,” which she said always brought a picture of Rosabella before her eyes.

The next morning, Mr. Green called earlier than usual.  He did not ask for Flora, whom he had in fact seen in the street a few minutes before.  “Excuse me, Mrs. Delano, for intruding upon you at such an unseasonable hour,” said he.  “I chose it because I wished to be sure of seeing you alone.  You must have observed that I am greatly interested in your adopted daughter.”

“The thought has crossed my mind,” replied the lady; “but I was by no means certain that she interested you more than a very pretty girl must necessarily interest a gentleman of taste.”

“Pretty!” repeated he.  “That is a very inadequate word to describe the most fascinating young lady I have ever met.  She attracts me so strongly, that I have called to ask your permission to seek her for a wife.”

Mrs. Delano hesitated for a moment, and then answered, “It is my duty to inform you that she is not of high family on the father’s side; and on the mother’s, she is scarcely what you would deem respectable.”

“Has she vulgar, disagreeable relations, who would be likely to be intrusive?” he asked.

“She has no relative, near or distant, that I know of,” replied the lady.

“Then her birth is of no consequence,” he answered.  “My family would be satisfied to receive her as your daughter.  I am impatient to introduce her to my mother and sisters, who I am sure will be charmed with her.”

Mrs. Delano was embarrassed, much to the surprise of her visitor, who was accustomed to consider his wealth and social position a prize that would be eagerly grasped at.  After watching her countenance for an instant, he said, somewhat proudly:  “You do not seem to receive my proposal very cordially, Mrs. Delano.  Have you anything to object to my character or family?”