"I should feel myself to have been very strong if after so many refusals I were to be successful at last."
"There is not the least chance of it."
"Why should there be no chance if your daughter's happiness depends upon it?"
"There is no chance, because I do not believe that my daughter's happiness does depend upon it. She is foolish, and has made a foolish proposition to you."
"What proposition?" asked Houston, in surprise, having heard nothing of that intercepted letter.
"That journey to Ostend, with the prospect of finding a good-natured clergyman in the town! I hardly think you would be fool enough for that."
"No, Sir Thomas, I should not do that. I should think it wrong." This he said quite gravely, asking no questions; but was very much at a loss to know where Sir Thomas had got his information.
"I am sure you would think it foolish: and it would be foolish. I pledge you my word, that were you to do such a thing I should not give you a shilling. I should not let my girl starve; but I should save her from suffering in such a manner as to let you have no share of the sustenance I provided for her."
"There is no question of that kind," said Frank, angrily.
"I hope not;—only as I know that the suggestion has been made I have thought it well to tell you what would be my conduct if it were carried out."