The sooner the better.

The sooner I may call your lovely daughter mine, the sooner I shall be the most blessed among men," exclaimed the young marquis, earnestly clapping his palm into the open hand of the banker, and shaking it heartily.
"There! well, the second condition will be fulfilled.

And now I will tell you what I never told you in so many words before, namely, that on the day Salome Levison becomes Marchioness of Arondelle, I will give her Lone as a marriage portion.

There, now, not a word more upon that subject.

I will send a message to my attorney to meet us here to-morrow morning," said the banker, rising and ringing the bell.
"You will let me thank--" began the marquis.
"No, I won't!" exclaimed the banker, cutting short the young gentleman's acknowledgements.