He knew the indomitable spirit of the youth, and his pride was enlisted in the desire for its overthrow.
"You are yet to learn, Ralph Colleton, I perceive, the difference and distance between yourself and my daughter.

You are but a youth, yet--quite too young to think of such ties as those of marriage, and to make any lasting engagement of that nature; but, even were this not the case, I am entirely ignorant of those pretensions which should prompt your claim to the hand of Edith." Had Colonel Colleton been a prudent and reflective man--had he, indeed, known much, if anything, of human nature--he would have withheld the latter part of this sentence.

He must have seen that its effect would only be to irritate a spirit needing an emollient.

The reply was instantaneous.
"My pretensions, Colonel Colleton?
You have twice uttered that word in my ears, and with reference to this subject.

Let me understand you.