It would not be to your advantage to marry her." "But surely, sir," I persisted, "I am the best judge of my own interests and advantages.

Since you take this ground all becomes easy, for I do assure you that the one interest which overrides all others is that I should have the woman I love for my wife.

If this is your only objection to our match you may surely give us your consent, for any danger or trial which I may incur in marrying Gabriel will not weigh with me one featherweight." "Here's a young bantam!" exclaimed the old soldier, smiling at my warmth.

"It's easy to defy danger when you don't know what the danger is." "What is it, then ?" I asked, hotly.

"There is no earthly peril which will drive me from Gabriel's side.