“‘What is the matter?’ said Mrs. Jericho, who entered the room at this juncture.
“‘Pooh! you know well enough,’ cried Jericho. ‘Mr. Candytuft wants to marry rich; but that’s not all—he wants to be handsomely paid for the trouble.’”
After awhile Jericho affects to agree to dower his step-daughter, and he says:
“‘Let us settle the sum, eh! Well, then, what sum would satisfy you?’”
It was a delicate question to put thus nakedly.
“‘Come, name a figure. Say five thousand pounds.’”
Candytuft looked blankly at Jericho, moving not a muscle.
“‘What do you say to seven?’
“Candytuft gently lifted his eyebrows, deprecating the amount.
“‘Come, then, we’ll advance to ten?’