“But what’s his objection?”
“I’ve an elder brother.”
“Well, but your governor is a close old boy. He has metal enough for a frigate besides his First-rate.”
“Yes; but he has told me a hundred times that tit for tat is the only game he plays at—whatever fortune I bring he will pay me over the same; if I marry for love, I must live on it. I could give you a score or two more of his wise sayings.”
“Oh! thank ye—I’ve a good stock of my own; but why, in the name of wonder, is he so distrustful? Can’t he give you credit for being able to choose, without bribing you, as it were, to look out for a fortune?”
“My father won’t give credit to any one, especially to me; besides, he has some little cause to be suspicious, for I’ve cleaned him out of a trifle once or twice, in a way that makes him slow to bite now. I have been on the point of marriage twice—once to old Crocky, and once to Stulz.”
“How?”
“Why, you see, last year I was dipt a little to the fishmonger, and wrote a matrimonial letter home hinting at trousseaus and other expenses, but mentioning no names. Nothing could please the old gentleman so much, and it was on that occasion he sent me up the paper, properly signed and attested, binding himself to give me guinea for guinea whatever fortune I might get with my wife. A thousand he sent me to do the needful in the way of jewels and other presents, set me square with all the world.”
“And your progenitor was indignant at the disappointment?”