On hearing this, a thought struck me, and I said to him--'You have expressed an earnest desire to requite the service I have just been fortunate enough to render you, and as I am well assured your professions are not idly made, I shall not hesitate to proffer a request to you.' 'Ask what you will; if I have it to give, it shall be yours,' he replied.

'You make that promise solemnly, and before heaven ?' I said.
'I make it solemnly,' he replied.

'And to prove to you that I mean it to be binding upon me, I will confirm it by an oath upon the Bible.' And as he spoke he took the sacred volume from his doublet, and reverently kissed it.

Then I said to him--'Sir, you have told me you have a daughter, but you have not told me whether she is marriageable or not ?' He started at the question, and answered somewhat sternly.

'My daughter has arrived at womanhood.