"We will not trouble old Anthony just yet.

Though his fair young mistress is indisposed to listen to the pleadings of love, it follows not she will be equally insensible to the controlling power of her father's delegated authority.

Her hand must be mine, either freely, or by compulsion.

Let her know on what grounds I claim it, Sir Giles." "Your claim cannot be resisted, Sir Francis," rejoined the other; "and if you had followed my counsel, you would not have condescended to play the abject wooer, but have adopted the manlier course, and demanded her hand as your right." "Nay, Sir Giles, you cannot wonder at me, knowing how infatuated I am by this rare and admirable creature.

I was unwilling to assert my rights till all other means of obtaining her hand had failed.