So exclaimed Ellieslaw; and, strange and inconsistent beings thatwe are! he expressed the real though momentary feelings of hisheart.

"Father," repeated Isabella, "I will consent to this marriage."

"No, my kid, no--not now at least--we will humble ourselves toobtain delay from him; and yet, Isabella, could you overcome adislike which has no real foundation, think, in other respects,what a match!--wealth--rank--importance."

"Father!" reiterated Isabella, "I always have consented."

It seemed as if she had lost the power of saying anything else,or even of varying the phrase which, with such effort, she hadcompelled herself to utter.