"Such things have happened, however."
"I suppose likely; but, young man, I am not rich. What little I had was taken away by the pirate, and I havn't seen it since."
"I care nothing for that, sir."
"But I do."
"I mean, Mr. Williams, that my love for your daughter will not be influenced one way or the other by the riches or poverty of her father."
"You seem to be a whole-souled man, anyway, Lieutenant Morris; and if you were only an Englishman, you should have my daughter for that speech, if for nothing else, you should, by St. George! I recollect when I was rich, the young men were round Julia as thick as bees; and when I failed, Lord! how they scattered!"
"My dear sir, I am rich enough for us all; beside a large amount of prize-money, my family estate is not small."
This last remark seemed to produce a deeper effect upon the old gentleman than any thing that had been said.
"Well, well, boy, I will think of it."
Lieutenant Morris was wise enough to say no more at that time; he saw that he had nearly, if not quite, secured the old gentleman's assent; and leaving him, he went forward.