"I sincerely trust that you will appreciate our position,
Mr. Blithers. It is not our desire or intention to offend in this
matter, but we believe it to be only fair and just that we should
understand each other at the outset. The impression is afoot that--"
"My lords," said Mr. Blithers, rising, his face suddenly pale, "I beg
leave to assure you that my daughter's happiness is of far more
importance to me than all the damned principalities in the world.
Just a moment, please. I apologise for the oath--but I mean it, just
the same. I do not resent your attitude, nor do I resent your haste
in conveying to me your views on the subject. It may be diplomacy to
go straight to a question and get it over with, but it isn't always
diplomatic to go off half-cocked. I will say, with perfect candour,
that I should like to see my daughter the Princess of Graustark, but
--by God! I want you to understand that her own wishes in the matter
are to govern mine in the end. I have had this marriage in mind,
there's no use denying it. I have schemed to bring these two young
people together with a single object in view.
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