"
"Does that mean you won't even allow me to see your daughter?"
"It would be useless."
"But I love Gertrudis," said Kirk, desperately.
Garavel looked a trifle pitying.
"You are by no means the first," he said; "I have been besieged by
many, who say always the same thing--without Gertrudis they
cannot, they will not, they should not live. And yet I have heard
of no deaths. At first I was greatly concerned about them--poor
fellows--but most of them are married now, so I not do take your
words too seriously." He laughed good-naturedly. "You unemotional
Americans do not love at first sight."
"I_ do, sir."
"Tut! It is but admiration for a beautiful girl who--I say it--is
wicked enough to enjoy creating havoc. Take time, my boy, and you
will smile at this madness. Now, let us talk of something else."
"It is no use, sir, I have it bad."
"But when you make such a request as this, you assume to know the
young lady's wishes in the matter."
"Not at all. Without your consent I don't believe she'd allow
herself to even like me. That is why I want to fix it with you
first."
"In that, at least, you are quite right, for Gertrudis is a good
girl, and obedient, as a general rule; but--it is impossible. Her
marriage has been arranged.
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