“If you will reflect for a moment, Mr. Rockharrt, you will know that your charge is untrue and impossible, and you will recall it.  I took up your railroad bill because I saw that its provisions would be beneficial to the small towns, tradesmen and farmers all along the proposed line—­interests that many railroads neglect, to the ruin of parties most concerned.  And I took up this cause before I had ever met your granddaughter since her childhood or as a woman.”

“That is true.  Well, well, the selfish and mercenary character of the men, and women, too, that I meet in this world has made me, perhaps, too suspicious of all men’s motives,” said the champion egotist of the world, speaking with the air of the great king condescending to an apology—­if his answer could be called an apology.

Rule accepted it as such.  He knew it was as near to a concession as the despot could come.  He bowed in silence.

“And so you want my granddaughter, do you?” demanded the old man.

“Yes, sir; as the greatest good that you, or the world, or heaven, could bestow on me,” earnestly replied the suitor.

“Rubbish!  Don’t talk like an idiot!  How do you propose to support her?”

“By the labor of my brain and hands,” gravely and confidently replied Rule.

“Worse rubbish than the other!  How much a year does the labor of your brain and hands bring you in?—­not enough to keep yourself in comfort!  And you would bring my granddaughter down to divide that insufficient income with you”

“My income would provide us both with modest comforts,” replied Rule.

“I think your ideas and our ideas of comfort may differ importantly.  Now see here, Mr. Rothsay, I do believe you to be a true, honest, straightforward man; I believe you are attracted to Cora by a sincere preference for herself, irrespective of her prospects; and you are a rising man.  Wait a year or two, or three.  Take a few steps higher on the ladder of rank and fame, and then come and ask me for my granddaughter’s hand, and if you are both of the same mind, I will give it to you.  There!”

“Mr. Rockharrt—­” began Rule.

“There, there, there!  I will not even hear of an engagement until that time shall arrive.  How do I know how you will pass through the ordeal of a political career, or into what bad company, evil habits, riotous living, dissipation, drunkenness, bribery and corruption, embezzlements, ruin and disgrace you may not be tempted?”

“Heaven forbid!” exclaimed Rule.

“Amen!  I believe you will stand the test, but I have seen too many brilliant and aspiring young politicians go up like a rocket and come down a burnt stick, to be very sure of any man in the same circumstances.”

“But, Mr. Rockharrt, such men were most probably brought up in wealth and luxury.  They were not trained, perhaps, as I have been, in the hard but wholesome school of labor and self-denial.”