During this speech Ferdinand had been violently agitated; at the conclusion he caught the hand of Mr. D'Allenberg: "Ah! Sir, how flattering is your kindness; I will not affect to misunderstand you, but can that happy distinguished man presume to hope Miss D'Allenberg views him with the partial eyes of her father? No, he cannot, he dares not, flatter himself with an idea, his own observation convinces him would be erroneous."
"You would not then decline the connexion, should Theresa be more discerning than you are so ready to suppose?"
"Decline! dear Sir! to call you father; to contribute to the happiness of your lovely daughter, would indeed be to ensure my own, and render me the most enviable of mankind. Your kindness has dragged a secret forth from the inmost recesses of my heart, and by its palpitation convinces me, that heart is entirely engrossed by Miss D'Allenberg."
