“It shall be no disappointment; he will do you honor and me too.”
“But he can't make a settlement on his wife, and no man shall marry my daughter till he can do that.”
“We can wait,” said Grace, humbly.
“Yes, wait—till you and your love are both worn out.”
“I shall wear out before my love.”
Mr. Carden looked at her, as she knelt before him, and his heart was very much softened. “Will you listen to reason at all?” said he.
“From you, I will, dear papa.” She added, swiftly, “and then you will listen to affection, will you not?”
“Yes. Promise me there shall be no formal engagement, and I will let him come now and then.”
This proposal, though not very pleasant, relieved Grace of such terrible fears, that she consented eagerly.
Mr. Carden then kissed her, and rose, to go to young Little; but, before he had taken three steps, she caught him by the arm, and said, imploringly, “Pray remember while you are speaking to him that you would not have me to bestow on any man but for him; for he saved my life, and Mr. Coventry's too. Mr. Coventry forgets that: but don't you: and, if you wound him, you wound me; he carries my heart in his bosom.”