Fiction > Book editions > London, 1893 - Catriona

^22 CATlllONA.
" To Avliafc cft'cct, Mr. Druinmoiid ? " said I. " I
would be obliged to you if you would approach your
point."
" Ay, ay," says he, laughing, " like your character
indeed ! and what I most admire in it. But the
point, my worthy fellow, is sometimes in a kittle bit."
He filled a glass of wine. " Though between you and
me, that are such fast friends, it need not bother us
long. The point, I need scarcely tell you, is my
daughter. And the first thing is that I have no
thought in my mind of blaming you. In the un-
fortunate circumstances, what could you do else ?
'Deed, and I cannot tell."
" I thank you for that," said I, pretty close upon
my guard.
'• I have besides studied your character," he went
on ; " your talents arc fair ; you seem to have a
moderate competence, which does no harm ; and one
thing wdtli another, I am very happy to have to
announce to you that I have decided on the latter of
the two ways open."
" I am afraid I am dull," said I. " What ways are
these ? "
He bent his brows upon mo formidably and un-
crossed his legs. " Why, sir," says he, " I think I need
scarce describe them to a gentleman of your condi-
tion : either that I should cut your throat or that you
should marry my daughter."
" You are pleased to be quite plain at last," said I.
''And I believe I have been plain from the be-
ginning 1 " cries ho robustiously. " I am a careful
parent^ Mr. Balfour ; but I thank God, a patient and