lime-trees, and her father took a stool by her side. He gently
raised her hand; and as her tears flowed afresh, he addressed her in
the most affectionate manner

"My own dear, good child--my Minna--will act reasonably, and not
afflict her poor old father, who only wishes to make her happy. My
dearest child, this blow has shaken you--dreadfully, I know it; but
you have been saved, as by a miracle, from a miserable fate, my
Minna. You loved the unworthy villain most tenderly before his
treachery was discovered: I feel all this, Minna; and far be it
from me to reproach you for it--in fact, I myself loved him so long
as I considered him to be a person of rank: you now see yourself
how differently it has turned out. Every dog has a shadow; and the
idea of my child having been on the eve of uniting herself to a man
who . . . but I am sure you will think no more of him. A suitor has
just appeared for you in the person of a man who does not fear the
sun--an honourable man--no prince indeed, but a man worth ten
millions of golden ducats sterling--a sum nearly ten times larger
than your fortune consists of--a man, too, who will make my dear
child happy--nay, do not oppose me--be my own good, dutiful child--
allow your loving father to provide for you, and to dry up these
tears. Promise to bestow your hand on Mr. Rascal. Speak my child:
will you not?"

Minna could scarcely summon strength to reply that she had now no
longer any hopes or desires on earth, and that she was entirely at
her father's disposal. Rascal was therefore immediately sent for,
and entered the room with his usual forwardness; but Minima in the
meantime had swooned away.