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V.

“All pleasure must be bought at the price of pain.  The true pay the price before they enjoy it; the false, after they enjoy it.”

“My dear Dick, I am exceedingly concerned to find you in such a taking,—­a soldier who has known some of the finest women of the day, moping about a Dutch school-girl!  Pshaw!  Don’t be a fool!  I had a much better opinion of you.”

“’Tis a kind of folly that runs in the family, aunt.  I have heard that you preferred Colonel Gordon to a duke.”

“Now, sir, you are ill-natured.  Dukes are not uncommon:  a man of sense and sensibility is a treasure.  Make me grateful that I secured one.”

“Lend me your wit, then, for the same consummation.  I assure you that I consider Katherine Van Heemskirk a treasure past belief.  Confess, now, that she was the loveliest of creatures last night.”

“She has truly a fine complexion, and she dances with all the elegance imaginable.  I know, too, that she sings to perfection, and has most agreeable and obliging manners.”

“And a heart which abounds in every tender feeling.”

“Oh, indeed, sir!  I was not aware that you knew her so well.”

“I know that I love her beyond everything, and that I am likely so to love her all my life.”

“Upon my word, Dick, love may live an age—­if you don’t marry it.”

“Let me make you understand that I wish to marry it.”

“Oh, indeed, sir!  Then the church door stands open.  Go in.  I suppose the lady will oblige you so far.”

“Pray, my dear aunt, talk sensibly.  Give me your advice; you know already that I value it.  What is the first step to be taken?”

“Go and talk with her father.  I assure you, no real progress can be made without it.  The girl you think worth asking for; but it is very necessary for you to know what fortune goes with her beauty.”

“If her father refuse to give her to me”—­

“That is not to be thought of.  I have seen that some of the best of these Dutch families are very willing to be friendly with us.  You come of a noble race.  You wear your sword with honour.  You are not far from the heritage of a great title and estate.  If you ask for her fortune, you offer far above its equivalent, sir.”

“I have heard Mr. Neil Semple say that Van Heemskirk is a great stickler for trade, and that he hates every man who wears a sword.”

“You have heard more than you need listen to.  I talked to the man an hour last night.  He is as honest as a looking-glass, and I read him all through with the greatest ease.  I am sure that he has a heart very tender, and devoid of anger or prejudice of any kind.”

“That is to be seen.  I have discovered already that men who can be very gentle can also be very rough.  But this suspense is intolerable, and not to be borne.  I will go and end it.  Pray, what is the hour?”