Should you persist in your
addresses to Alice, should you finally marry her, not a shilling, not
a penny of your father's wealth shall fall on an ungrateful son."
Richard reflected profoundly a moment, and then replied:
"Fear of the loss of wealth would not deter me from any step. But the
loss of my father would be an evil, I could never risk to encounter. I
will obey you, sir."
"I am not satisfied," thought the old gentleman, as he left his son,
after a few more moments of conversation. "I am not satisfied. I will
watch them closely, and in the course of the day speak to Alice."
An opportunity soon offered. He found himself alone with Alice, after
tea.
"Alice," he commenced, "I wish to make a confidant of you;" and he
proceeded to unfold to her, at some length, his ambitious projects for
his son, and concluded by giving her to understand, pretty distinctly,
that he wished his son to select a wealthy bride, and that any other
one would never be received by him as his daughter.
"I think I understand, although I cannot entirely sympathize with you,
my dear uncle," said Alice, in a low, trembling tone. "All this has
been said for my edification. That your mind may be perfectly at rest
on this subject, I must say what may be deemed presumptuous: I would
not, could not marry your son, either with or without your consent, or
under any circumstances whatever.
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