'Here is a jolly old grandfather'-- that was strong, I thought--very friendly and natural.

Did it strike you in that way ?' It didn't strike him,' returned the other, 'so we needn't discuss it.
Now look here.

Nell is nearly fourteen.' 'Fine girl of her age, but small,' observed Richard Swiveller parenthetically.
'If I am to go on, be quiet for one minute,' returned Trent, fretting at the slight interest the other appeared to take in the conversation.
'Now I'm coming to the point.' 'That's right,' said Dick.
'The girl has strong affections, and brought up as she has been, may, at her age, be easily influenced and persuaded.

If I take her in hand, I will be bound by a very little coaxing and threatening to bend her to my will.

Not to beat about the bush (for the advantages of the scheme would take a week to tell) what's to prevent your marrying her ?' Richard Swiveller, who had been looking over the rim of the tumbler while his companion addressed the foregoing remarks to him with great energy and earnestness of manner, no sooner heard these words than he evinced the utmost consternation, and with difficulty ejaculated the monosyllable: 'What!' 'I say, what's to prevent,' repeated the other with a steadiness of manner, of the effect of which upon his companion he was well assured by long experience, 'what's to prevent your marrying her ?' 'And she 'nearly fourteen'!' cried Dick.
'I don't mean marrying her now'-- returned the brother angrily; 'say in two year's time, in three, in four.