His father took his hand.
"She is yours," said he.
"Mine? But, my dear father, she is Andrew's!"
"She was; but he's such a perfect sumph, I'm thankful she's got quit of him."
"What! Is it broken off?"
"It will be."
"An engagement?"
"What's an engagement? Speaking as a lawyer of many years' standing, I may tell you candidly that engagements, and agreements, and bargains are simply devices for keeping rascals from swindling one another. If honest men agree, they don't need a stamped bit of paper; and if they disagree, where's the point in leashing them together, like a couple of growling dogs? And the case is a thousand times stronger when it comes to a man and a girl. I was only afraid I should lose a charming daughter-in-law, and now you've taken that weight off my mind. I can't tell you how happy I feel!"
Frank's young face was grave and his candid eyes looked straight at his father.