“Because, because this marriage cannot be any thing else but a barefaced speculation. Your father is immensely rich; she wants his fortune.”
Daniel’s reasoning was so sensible, and he pleaded his cause with such eagerness, that Henrietta’s resolution was evidently shaken.
“You want me to yield?” she asked.
“I beseech you to do it.”
She shook her head sadly, and said in a tone of utter dejection,—
“Very well. It shall be done as you wish it. I shall not object to this profanation. But you may be sure, my weakness will do us no good.”
It struck ten. She rose, offered her hand to Daniel, and said,—
“I will see you to-morrow evening. By that time I shall know, and I will tell you, the name of the woman whom father is going to marry; for I shall ask him who she is.”
She was spared that trouble. Next morning, the first words of the count were,—
“Well, have you thought it over?”