"Who admitted you?" asked the professor.
"Esmeralda."
"Then she will acquaint Jane with the fact that you are
here," said the old man.
"No, Professor," replied Canler, "for I came primarily to
see you."
"Ah, I am honored," said Professor Porter.
"Professor," continued Robert Canler, with great deliberation,
as though carefully weighing his words, "I have come
this evening to speak with you about Jane."
"You know my aspirations, and you have been generous
enough to approve my suit."
Professor Archimedes Q. Porter fidgeted in his armchair.
The subject always made him uncomfortable. He could not
understand why. Canler was a splendid match.
"But Jane," continued Canler, "I cannot understand her.
She puts me off first on one ground and then another. I have
always the feeling that she breathes a sigh of relief every time
I bid her good-by."
"Tut, tut," said Professor Porter. "Tut, tut, Mr. Canler.
Jane is a most obedient daughter. She will do precisely as I
tell her."
"Then I can still count on your support?" asked Canler, a
tone of relief marking his voice.
"Certainly, sir; certainly, sir," exclaimed Professor Porter.
"How could you doubt it?"
"There is young Clayton, you know," suggested Canler. "He has
been hanging about for months. I don't know that Jane cares
for him; but beside his title they say he has inherited a
very considerable estate from his father, and it might not be
strange,--if he finally won her, unless--" and Canler paused.
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