‘Yes. To be sure. I am astonished indeed. I wonder he committed himself without seeing more of his way first. Now I think of it, I suspect he always has admired you though, my dear.’
‘A hackney coachman may admire me,’ remarked Bella, with a touch of her mother’s loftiness.
‘It’s highly probable, my love. Number two, my dear?’
‘Number two, Pa, is much to the same purpose, though not so preposterous. Mr Lightwood would propose to me, if I would let him.’
‘Then I understand, my dear, that you don’t intend to let him?’
Bella again saying, with her former emphasis, ‘Why, of course not!’ her father felt himself bound to echo, ‘Of course not.’
‘I don’t care for him,’ said Bella.
‘That’s enough,’ her father interposed.
‘No, Pa, it’s not enough,’ rejoined Bella, giving him another shake or two. ‘Haven’t I told you what a mercenary little wretch I am? It only becomes enough when he has no money, and no clients, and no expectations, and no anything but debts.’
‘Hah!’ said the cherub, a little depressed. ‘Number three, my dear?’