"
"You misunderstand me," the general answered. "It is on our side that
the disparity lies. There are reasons why my daughter Gabriel should
live and die single. It would not be to your advantage to marry her."
"But surely, sir," I persisted, "I am the best judge of my own
interests and advantages. Since you take this ground all becomes easy,
for I do assure you that the one interest which overrides all others is
that I should have the woman I love for my wife. If this is your only
objection to our match you may surely give us your consent, for any
danger or trial which I may incur in marrying Gabriel will not weigh
with me one featherweight."
"Here's a young bantam!" exclaimed the old soldier, smiling at my
warmth. "It's easy to defy danger when you don't know what the danger
is."
"What is it, then?" I asked, hotly. "There is no earthly peril which
will drive me from Gabriel's side. Let me know what it is and test me."
"No, no. That would never do," he answered with a sigh, and then,
thoughtfully, as if speaking his mind aloud: "He has plenty of pluck and
is a well-grown lad, too. We might do worse than make use of him."
He went on mumbling to himself with a vacant stare in his eyes as if
he had forgotten my presence.
"Look here, West," he said presently. "You'll excuse me if I spoke
hastily a little time ago. It is the second time that I have had
occasion to apologise to you for the same offence. It shan't occur
again.
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