Indeed, it gives me a heartache to think I shall ever be called to part with any one of them." "Not very soon, I hope," said Violet.

"You have frequently told me you did not intend to let either of your daughters marry for years to come." "No, I do not; and as I dread the pain, for both them and myself, which would be caused by the necessity for refusing to let them follow their inclinations in such a matter, I sincerely hope no one will succeed in winning their affections for years to come." "Then if I am right about Donald and he asks your permission to make an offer to Lu, you will forbid him to do so ?" At first the captain's only reply was an amused sort of smile.

Then he said: "I must tell you of a talk Donald and I had, some years ago, at West Point.

You perhaps remember that I took Max and Lulu there, and found Donald already at the hotel, and we spent a few days together, the children with us nearly all the time.

One night I sent them early to bed, and, afterward, spent an hour or more talking with my friend alone on the piazza.