Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/345

 my dear Sir, that if I had not known him to be a man of fortune"—

"Pho!" said Mr Stewart, "if he is a man of fortune, why should he scruple to secure to my daughter this small sum?"

"Because you see, my dear Sir, that to settle formally such a trifling matter, would be, in his opinion, a sort of disgrace; and besides, I dare say he wants the money."

"I dare say he does," said Mr Stewart, drily, "and he must have it too. But I shall take all here witness to my intentions." Mr Stewart then advanced to Mrs Mason to give her his arm, while Mr Flinders, Mrs Mollins, and Mary, stepped before them into the other room.

Mollins, who, as they entered, was sitting at the table, leaning his head upon his hand, apparently buried in thought, roused himself on seeing them, and was about to speak with his usual flippancy; when perceiving Mrs Mason, he started,