The mother, who knew by the sentiments which he had expressed to her before on this subject, that he was now playing a game with the family, did not consider it prudent to contradict him; she consequently replied,—­

“I don’t know, Harry; I cannot get their trick about the property out of my heart; but, perhaps, if I saw it once more where it ought to be, I might change.  That’s all I can say at present.”

“Well, come, Harry,” said Lindsay—­adverting to what he had just said—­“I think you have spoken fairly enough; I do—­it’s candid; you are not above this world; why should you be?—­come, it is candid.”

“I trust, sir, you will never find me un-candid, either on this or any other subject.”

“No; I don’t think I shall, Harry.  Well, be it so—­setting your mother out of the question,—­proceed with equal candor in your courtship.  I trust you deserve her, and, if so, I hope you may get her.”

“If he does not,” said Maria, “he will never get such a wife.”

“By the way, Harry,” asked Charles, “has she given you an intimation of anything like encouragement?”

“Well, I rather think I am not exactly a fool, Charles, nor likely to undertake an enterprise without some prospect of success.  I hope you deem me, at least, a candid man.”

“Yes; but there is a class of persons who frequently form too high an estimate of themselves, especially in their intercourse with women; and who very often mistake civility for encouragement.”

“Very true, Charles—­exceedingly just and true; but I hope I am not one of those either; my knowledge of life and the world will prevent me from that, I trust.”

“I hope,” continued Charles, “that if the girl is adverse to such a connection she will not be harassed or annoyed about it.”

“I hope, Charles, I have too much pride to press any proposal that may be disagreeable to her; I rather think I have.  But have you, Charles, any reason to suppose that she should not like me?”

“Why, from what you have already hinted, Harry, you ought to be the best judge of that yourself.”

“Well, I think so, too.  I am not in the habit of walking blindfold into any adventure, especially one so important as this.  Trust to my address, my dear fellow,” he added, with a confident smile, “and, believe me, you shall soon see her your sister-in-law.”

“And I shall be delighted at it, Harry,” said his sister; “so go on and prosper.  If you get her you will get a treasure, setting her property out of the question.”

“Her property!” ejaculated Mrs. Lindsay; “but no matter; we shall see.  I can speak sweetly enough when I wish.”

“I wish to God you would try it oftener, then,” said her husband; “but I trust that during this visit of yours you will not give way to your precious temper and insult them at the outset.  Don’t tie a knot with your tongue that you can’t unravel with your teeth.  Be quiet, now; I didn’t speak to raise the devil and draw on a tempest—­only let us have a glass of punch, till Charley and I drink success to Harry.”