She saw clearly, and had long known that in the tactics and stratagems of life, her blunt but honest father was no match at all for the deep hypocrisy and deceitful plausibility of Sir Robert Whitecraft, the consequence was, that she allowed her father to take his own way, without either remonstrance or contradiction.

She knew very well that on this occasion, as on every other where their wits and wishes came in opposition, Sir Robert was always able to outgeneral and overreach him; she therefore resolved to agitate herself as little as possible, and to allow matters to flow on tranquilly, until the crisis--the moment for action came.
"Papa," she replied, "this intelligence must make your mind very easy; I hope, however, you will restore poor faithful Connor to me.

I never had such an affectionate and kind creature; and, besides, not one of them could dress me with such skill and taste as she could.

Will you allow me to have her back, sir ?" "I will, Helen; but take care she doesn't make a Papist of you." "Indeed, papa, that is a strange whim: why, the poor girl never opened her lips to me on the subject of religion during her life; nor, if I saw that she attempted it, would I permit her.

I am no theologian, papa, and detest polemics, because I have always heard that those who are most addicted to polemical controversy have least religion." "Well, my love, you shall have back poor Connor; and now I must go and look over some papers in my study.