"Talk away then" said Mr. Earlsdown "I am prepared for the very worst news."
"It's nothing much" said the girl "only—
"Wake up wake up my child" said her uncle "only what?"
"Only that Leslie Woodcock has asked me to marry him and with your permission I will accept."
"I dare say you will" said Mr. Earlsdown "but I am not going to give my consent" replied the excitable gentleman "I am not going to see you marry a begger."
"But uncle he is not a begger" cried Sylvia "he is well off, honest and dependable"
"I dare say he is all that" said Mr. Earlsdown "dependable indeed! why ten to one when you have been married to him a month he will devoice you for some other girl he is silly enough to prefer; no no you shall marry a lord, that is what I want for my money, so next time you see young Woodcock just send him about his business, impudent young fellow!!"
"Uncle have some mercy" here burst from Sylvia's pale lips "I'll never marry any one else" and with a cry of "Leslie my Leslie" she fled from the room and flinging herself on her own bed gave way to bitter tears.
But finally taking heart of grace she siezed her blotting book and poured forth these heart rending words.
My own,