"There are no parents to interfere; she will be her own mistress the very day she is of age." "But she is only about seventeen now," said Allan; "there will be so long to wait." "The prize is well worth waiting for.

Half the peers in England would be proud and thankful to win it.

If you play your cards well, Allan, in one way or another you must succeed.

Let me tell you the most important thing to do." "What is that ?" he asked, looking admiringly into his sister's face.
"Persuade her to write to you, and mind that her letters to you contain a promise of marriage.

Do you see the importance of that ?" "You are a clever woman, Adelaide; with you to help me I cannot fail." And he did not fail.