He did so, firmly but coolly.
His father, irritated by the scene with Bartley, treated Walter's
proposal with indignant scorn.
Walter continued to keep his temper, and with some reluctance asked him
whether he owed nothing, not even a sacrifice of his prejudices, to a son
who had never disobeyed him, and had improved his circumstances.
"Come, sir," said he; "when the happiness of my life is at stake I
venture to lay aside delicacy, and ask you whether I have not been a good
son, and a serviceable one to you?"
"Yes, Walter," said the Colonel, "with this exception."
"Then now or never give me my reward."
"I'll try," said the grim Colonel; "but I see it will be hard work.
However, I'll try and save you from a _mesalliance_."
"A _mesalliance_, sir? Why, she is a Clifford."
"The deuce she is!"
"As much a Clifford as I am."
"That is news to me."
"Why, one of her parents was a Clifford, and your own sister. And one of
mine was an Irish woman."
"Yes; an O'Ryan; not a trader; not a small-coal man.
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