"You are the most original youth I have ever met with," said Culpepper; "I know not how it is; but the more you oppose me, the better I like you."
The nephews looked astonished.
"Still," observed Oliver, "it would never do for us to live together. For myself, I neither like opposing nor submitting; never having been used to either."
"It is not possible," said Culpepper, "that you mean seriously to refuse my offer of protection and fortune?"
"As to protection," replied Oliver; "I can protect myself. And as to fortune, I dare say I can make one for myself. And as to that other thing, the wife, I shall try to get one of my own sort—Fanny, or somebody else. And as to the name of Culpepper, I'll never take it."
"And will you really not go with me to Canada?"
"No! positively I will not. I believe, though, I ought to thank you for your offers, which I now do. No doubt they were well meant. But here I intend to stay, with the excellent people that took me when nobody else would, and that have brought me up as their own child. I know how sorry they would be were I to leave them, and yet they have had the forbearance not to say one word to persuade me to stay. So it is my firm determination to live and die with them."
He then shook hands with each of the old Brighams, who were deeply affected, and threw their arms round him. Fanny, completely overcome, entirely off her guard, flew to Oliver, hid her face on his shoulder, and burst into tears. He kissed her cheek, saying, "Now, Fanny, I hope we understand each other;"—and Colonel Brigham put his daughter's hand into Oliver's.
"So then," said Mr. Culpepper, "I have found a grandson but to lose him. Well, I deserve it."
The nephews looked as if they thought so too.