'Well?' said he.

'I do not think my cousin means badly.'

'You don't! I do, then. I think he means very badly. What business has
he to write to me, talking of his position?'

'I can't see anything amiss in his doing so, papa. I think he wishes to
be friendly. The property will be his some day, and I don't see why
that should not be mentioned, when there is occasion.'

'Upon my word, Clara, you surprise me. But women never understood
delicacy in regard to money. They have so little to do with it, and
think so little about it, that they have no occasion for such delicacy.'

Clara could not help the thought that to her mind the subject was
present with sufficient frequency to make delicacy very desirable, if
only it were practicable. But of this she said nothing. 'And what
answer will you send to him, papa?' she asked.

'None at all. Why should I trouble myself to write to him?'

'I will take the trouble off your hands.'

'And what will you say to him?'

'I will ask him to come here, as he proposes.'

'Clara!'