But he was not a conceited man, and felt by no means sure that Violet herself would give a favorable hearing to his suit.  Under the peculiar and trying circumstances of his sojourn at Ion he had not been able to offer her any attention, and her uniform kindness had probably been shown only to her mother’s invalid guest.  And as he thought of the disparity of years between them, and how many younger, and perhaps in every way more attractive men, must have crossed her path, his hopes sank very low.

Yet he was not too proud to allow her the opportunity to reject him.  Saying to himself, “Were I certain that she is indifferent to me, I would not give her the pain of doing so—­for I know her kind heart would feel it a pain—­but as I am not sure of her feelings, it is only fair and just to her to let her know of mine and abide the issue,” he decided that he would not go away without speaking, yet that he would first ask the consent of her natural guardians.

He therefore seized the first opportunity when alone with Mr. Dinsmore to tell of his love for Violet, and ask if he could obtain his and the mother’s consent to the prosecution of his suit.

Mr. Dinsmore seemed both surprised and moved.  He did not speak for a moment, then, with a heavy sigh, “Has it come to this already,” he said “that we are likely to lose our little Vi?  I don’t know how either her mother or I can ever do without her! ever make up our minds to resign her to any one else!”

“I don’t wonder at it, sir,” the captain said with feeling.  “But may I understand that you do not object to me personally?”

“No, sir, oh no!  I see no objection to you more than to any other, except disparity of years, Violet being so young; and that is not so great as it was between her parents.”

“Then you give me some hope?”

“If you have won her affections, yes.  How is it in regard to that?”

“I have said no word to her on the subject, Mr. Dinsmore—­feeling that the more honorable course was first to ask permission of her mother and yourself—­and am by no means certain that she cares for me at all except as a friend of the family and of her cousin, Lieut.  Keith.  Have I your consent, sir?”

“I will talk with my daughter, captain, and let you know the result.”

He rose as if to leave the room, but the captain detained him.

“Let me tell you,” he said, coloring in spite of himself, “that I am not rich, having very little beside my pay.”

“That is a matter of small importance,” Mr. Dinsmore answered in a kindly tone, “seeing that riches are so apt to take wings and fly away, and that the Master said, ’A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.’  If her mother’s wealth remains, Violet will be well provided for, as I presume you are aware, yet I cannot for a moment suppose you capable of seeking her on that account.  In fact,” he concluded with a smile, “the child has nothing at all of her own, and her mother can, should she choose, leave her penniless.”