"
"Dear Ducie, there is no question at all of that. The trouble arose
about Julius Sandal. Father was determined that I or Sophia should marry
him, and he was afraid of Steve standing in the way of Julius. As for
myself, I felt as if Julius had been invited to Seat-Sandal that he
might make his choice of us; and I took good care that he should
understand from the first hour that I was not on his approbation. I
resented the position on my own account, and I did not intend Stephen to
feel that he was only getting a girl who had been appraised by Julius
Sandal, and declined."
"You are a good girl, Charlotte; and as for Steve standing in the way of
Julius Sandal, he will, perhaps, do that yet, and to some more purpose
than sweet-hearting. I hear tell that he is very rich; but Steve is not
poor,--no, not by a good deal. His grandfather and I have been saving
for him more than twenty years, and Steve is one to turn his penny well
and often. If you marry Steve, you will not have to study about money
matters."
"Poor or rich, I shall marry Steve if he is true to me."
"There is another thing, Charlotte, a thing I talk about to no one; but
we will speak of it once and forever. Have you heard a word about
Steve's father? My trouble is long dead and buried, but there are some
that will open the grave itself for a mouthful of scandal. What have you
heard? Don't be afraid to speak out.
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