“Yes.”
“You are incomprehensible to me. Pray explain yourself, my dear Cadwgan.”
“I’ll do so in a few words. Before I can permit my dear sister to entertain your proposal, your father must be fully informed of your intention. His views of such an alliance might be very different from yours. He might wish you to marry the daughter of a wealthy city merchant, therefore he would regard your proposal as foolish and imprudent.”
“Cadwgan, you do my dear father great injustice. He has an abundance of wealth. He would be the last man to make my marriage a matter of money speculation. I know better than you can his feelings, and am sure that, in a matter so momentous, his first consideration would be my happiness.”
“I have no doubt but such are your father’s feelings; still, as I am but a clerk in his establishment, I can’t permit you to address my sister until his consent is given fully and freely.”
“Well, knowing your high character and scruples, I must tell you that I have taken steps in order to anticipate your objection.”
“I hope you have not written Mr. Roberts?”
“Indeed I have, Cadwgan.”
“I’m very sorry; you really should have waited.”
“Nay, nay, I couldn’t wait.”