SOPHY.—“Oh! a thousand million million times more.”
VANCE.—“He brought you up, I suppose? Have you no father,—no mother?”
SOPHY.—“I have only Grandfather.”
LIONEL.—“Have you always lived with him?”
SOPHY.—“Dear me, no; I was with Mrs. Crane till Grandfather came from abroad, and took me away, and put me with some very kind people; and then, when Grandfather had that bad accident, I came to stay with him, and we have been together ever since.”
LIONEL.—“Was Mrs. Crane no relation of yours?”
SOPHY.—“No, I suppose not, for she was not kind; I was so miserable: but don’t talk of it; I forget that now. I only wish to remember from the time Grandfather took me in his lap, and told me to be a good child and love him; and I have been happy ever since.”
“You are a dear good child,” said Lionel, emphatically, “and I wish I had you for my sister.”
VANCE.—“When your grandfather has received from me that exorbitant—not that I grudge it—sum, I should like to ask, What will he do with it? As he said it was a secret, I must not pump you.”
SOPHY.—“What will he do with it? I should like to know, too, sir; but whatever it is I don’t care, so long as I and Grandfather are together.”