She stopped, and blushed deeper than ever.
'When he knows,' said Hiram, taking up the sentence, 'he will hate me: I am sure he will.'
'How can you say so?' replied the confiding girl. 'I am his only child, and he will approve of anything which is for my happiness.'
'But he may not think an engagement with me (you see Hiram was determined on the engagement) will be for your happiness. I am not known here—am not yet in business for myself, although so far as that is concerned'—
'Don't speak so—it pains me; as if I could think of such things now,' she whispered, as if really in bodily distress.
'But it must be mentioned, and at once; we must tell your parents. It would be highly improper not to do so.'
He meant to make all sure.
'Oh, well, I suppose you are right, but it will make no difference to papa if you had not a penny. I have heard him say so a thousand times.'
'Have you,' replied Hiram, drawing a long breath, 'have you really?'
'Indeed I have. He has always said he would prefer to see me marry a high-minded, honorable young man, of strict integrity, without a cent in the world, to the richest man living, if he were sordid and calculating. Oh, he despises such persons. Now are you satisfied?'