“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.”
“Yes, sir,” replied the girl, coloring deeply, and turning away her head.
“And what do you suppose would make your happiness with 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.