"Perhaps not," said Mr. O'Mahony.
"They have been my study up from my cradle," said Mr. Moss.
"No doubt."
"And I think that I have carried on the battle not without some little éclat."
"I am quite sure of it."
"I still hope that I may succeed with your sweet daughter."
"Here the battle is of a different kind," not without a touch of satire in the tone of his voice, whatever there might be in the words which he used. "In tournaments of love, you have, I do not doubt, been very successful; but here, it seems to me that the struggle is for money."
"That is only an accident."
"But the accident rises above everything. It does not matter in the least which comes first. Whether it be for love or money my daughter will certainly have a will of her own. You may take my word that she is not to be talked out of her mind."
"But Mr. Jones is gone?" asked Moss.