Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 2).djvu/95

 too discreet, and of a mind too elevated and improved to need the guardianship even of a father."

"Cora!"

"Ay—Cora! we are talking of your pretensions to Miss Munro, are we not, sir?"

"I—I—I, was not conscious of having mentioned her name," said Duncan, stammering through embarrassment.

"And to marry whom, then, did you wish my consent, Major Heyward," demanded the old soldier, erecting himself in all the dignity of offended feeling.

"You have another, and not less lovely child."

"Alice!" exclaimed the father, in an astonishment equal to that with which Duncan had just repeated the name of her sister.

"Such was the direction of my wishes, sir."

The young man awaited in silence, the result of the extraordinary effect produced by a communication which, as it now appeared, was so unexpected. For several