The last rays of a June sun were streaming into Clara’s chamber through
the open window at which she sat.
“There goes father into his office!” she exclaimed. “He is alone. Now or
never!” and snatching her sun-bonnet, she ran quickly down the stairs
and across the garden to the little white vine-covered office that stood
at its foot. A moment’s hesitation, as she laid her hand on the latch,
and then, with a sudden air of resolution, she opened the door and went
in. Her father, who sat at the window, reading, glanced at her as she
entered, nodded slightly, and went on with his book.
Clara walked across the floor to the library, and searched it
diligently. Yet her father did not ask her what she wanted. She rattled
gently the bones of a skeleton that hung in the corner. Still he did not
look up. She played a tattoo on the skull of a Hottentot. The
imperturbable doctor moved not. So she went up to him and laid her hand
on the back of his chair, saying,
“Have you a few minutes for me, father?”
“Oh yes, my dear. Can you wait till I finish this article?” So she
leaned upon his chair, gazing out of the window, and wishing herself
back in her room.
“Well, Clara, I am ready for you,” said her father at last, closing his
book.
But she seemed to have nothing ready to say, and began to pull to pieces
a stray branch of woodbine that looked in at the window.
“Why what is it, my child--do you want a new frock, or what?”
“No, sir. I want--I came to ask you--why the truth is, father, that I
want to be married, and beg you to tell me yes, when I ask you if I
may.”
“Want to be _married_!” cried the doctor, laughing immoderately. “Now I
protest, of all the fooleries, that is the last I should have thought of
the child’s asking for! Why, see here, dear--how long is it since you
were romping about here, in short dresses, and short hair, and all that?
Want to be married!” and he gazed at her with an incredulous smile.
“I am nearly seventeen,” observed Clara, with considerable dignity.
“Oh, indeed! I beg your pardon, madam!” exclaimed her father, in a tone
of profound deference, at the same time seating her on his knee. “You
want to be married. Now, what for, my little lady?”
“Why, I think, without it, neither I nor one other can ever be happy.”
“And who might that other individual be?”
“I dare not tell you, for you are prejudiced against him, and will
refuse me.”
“Prejudiced, am I? What, do you opine, has prejudiced me?”
“I think you adopted the opinions of another before seeing him, and so
were not prepared to judge justly.”
“Is it this Brentford, you mean?”
“Yes, sir,” replied the girl, coloring deeply, and turning away her
head.
“And what do you suppose would make your happiness with him?”
“We love each other!”
“What is it that you love in him?”
“Why, he is so noble, so generous, so honorable.”
“Are you quite sure that is it, Clara? Or is it that he is so handsome,
so genteel, so elegantly bearded, so devoted to you? But I will not keep
you on the rack, my poor child. I will tell you at once, that it is not
my wish that you should marry mortal man, be he who he may, till you
come to years of discretion, which is not likely to be for four or five
yet.
“You do not know, now, what you will want when your taste is fully
formed, your character consolidated. I am convinced that this man who
now captivates you so much, possesses none, or next to none, of the
qualities necessary to secure your permanent happiness and elevation in
the connection you desire. He is far from being the person to whose
influence I should be willing to have you subject your whole future
life. And, indeed, if he met my entire approval, I should be very
reluctant to have you pledge yourself so early.
“Be not in haste to assume the cares and responsibilities of life, my
dear child; they will come soon enough at furthest. I would have you a
strong, right-minded, well-developed woman, before you take the station
and duties of a woman. I would not suffer you to marry now, unless I
were willing to risk the peace of your whole life, which I am far enough
from being.” And he drew down her blushing cheek, and kissed it.
“Do you not suppose your lover would find another lady as much to his
taste, should you reject him?”
“Never!” replied Clara, emphatically; “he has told me a hundred times
that he never loved before, and he never should again.”
“Very well,” returned her father, with a quiet smile, “if he will give
you bail for his reappearance here, four years from this day, I shall be
ready to listen to his proposals, if I am alive. But why did he not
proffer his suit himself like a man, instead of pilfering your heart,
and then sending you, poor, quailing thing, to ask the powers if he
might have it!” A heavy frown lowered on Doctor Gregory’s brow, which
his daughter hastened to dissipate, saying,
“Indeed, he would have seen you, but I preferred to, because--”
“Because what?”
“I thought you would be more willing to listen to me.”
“I hope I should be reasonable with any one. You understand my wishes,
Clara, and no doubt, I may depend on your acquiescence in them. You need
not trouble yourself any further about a marriage, till you are of age,
at least. As to Mr. Brentford, I rely on your judgment and sense of
propriety, my daughter, to direct your future conduct. Of course, you
will discontinue any intimate friendship with him.
“I am heartily sorry to disappoint you, love, but I have not a doubt you
will be infinitely happier in the end.”
Clara’s lip quivered, and her eyes were so full of tears she dared not
close them, as she rose, and pulling her sun-bonnet over her face,
glided out of the office and up the garden walk. She ran up the stairs
to her room, turned the key, and burst into tears.