'And why shouldn't he have my consent? What is there amiss with him?
Why shouldn't you marry him if he likes you? You seemed, I thought, to
be very fond of him.'

This surprised Clara more than anything. She could hardly have told
herself why, but she would have thought that such a proposition from
her cousin would have made her father angry unreasonably angry angry
with him for presuming to have such an idea; but now it seemed that he
was going to be angry with her for not accepting her cousin out of hand.

'Yes, papa; I am fond of him; but not like that. I did not expect that
he would think of me in that way.'

'But why shouldn't he think of you? It would be a very good marriage
for you, as far as money is concerned.'

'You would not have me marry any one for that reason would you, papa?'

'But you seemed to like him. Well; of course I can't make you like him.
I meant to do for the best; and when he came to me as he did, I thought
he was behaving very handsomely, and very much like a gentleman.'

'I am sure he would do that.'

'And if I could have thought that this place would be your home when I
am gone, it would have made me very happy very happy.'

She now came and stood close to him and took his hand. 'I hope, papa,
you do not make yourself uneasy about me. I shall do very well. Fm sure