"She will be, if you say so."
"If it pleases you, Dolly—I don't care."
"And, father, dear father! won't you keep your promise to me? What is to become of us, father?"
Some bitter tears flowed again as she said this quietly; but Mr. Copley knew they were flowing, and he had an intuitive sense that they were bitter. They embarrassed him.
"I'll make a bargain, Dolly," he said after a pause. "I'll do what you want of me—anything you want—if you'll marry St. Leger."
"But, father, I have not made up my mind to like him enough for that."
"You will like him well enough. If you were to marry him you would be devoted to him. I know you."
"I think the devotion ought to come first."
"Nonsense. That is romantic folly. Novels are one thing, and real life is another."
"I daresay; but do you object to people's being a little romantic?"