However, what we must do now is to tell her Sir Charles has satisfied me he was not to blame; and after that the subject must never be recurred to.

Sir Charles has promised me never to mention it, and no more shall Bella.

And now, my dear John, let me congratulate you.

Your daughter has a high-minded lover, who adores her, with a fine estate: he has been crying to me, poor fellow, as men will to a woman of my age; and if you have any respect for my judgment--ask him to dinner." She added that it might be as well if, after dinner, he were to take a little nap.
Admiral Bruce did not fall into these views without discussion.

I spare the reader the dialogue, since he yielded at last; only he stipulated that his sister should do the dinner, and the subsequent siesta.
Bella returned looking very wistful and anxious.
"Come here, niece," said Mrs.Molineux.