"You found some letters waiting for you when you got here," proceeded
the admiral. "Was one of those letters from my old friend, Sir Franklin
Brock?"
"Yes, sir."
"Was it an invitation to you to go and stay at the Grange?"
"Yes, sir."
"To go at once?"
"At once, if I could manage it."
"Very good. I want you to manage it; I want you to start for the Grange
to-morrow."
George looked back at the fire, and sighed impatiently.
"I understand you now, admiral," he said. "You are entirely mistaken
in me. My attachment to Miss Vanstone is not to be shaken in _that_
manner."
Admiral Bartram took his quarter-deck walk again, up and down the room.
"One good turn deserves another, George," said the old gentleman. "If
I am willing to make concessions on my side, the least you can do is to
meet me half-way, and make concessions on yours."
"I don't deny it, sir."
"Very well. Now listen to my proposal. Give me a fair hearing, George--a
fair hearing is every man's privilege. I will be perfectly just to begin
with. I won't attempt to deny that you honestly believe Miss Vanstone
is the only woman in the world who can make you happy. I don't question
that.
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