"Your mother and I mean to live and see Frank a great merchant.

I shall leave you, my dear, to enlighten the son on our new projects, while I walk over to the cottage--" He stopped; his eyebrows contra cted a little; and he looked aside hesitatingly at Mrs.Vanstone.
"What must you do at the cottage, papa ?" asked Magdalen, after having vainly waited for him to finish the sentence of his own accord.
"I must consult Frank's father," he replied.

"We must not forget that Mr.Clare's consent is still wanting to settle this matter.

And as time presses, and we don't know what difficulties he may not raise, the sooner I see him the better." He gave that answer in low, altered tones; and rose from his chair in a half-reluctant, half-resigned manner, which Magdalen observed with secret alarm.
She glanced inquiringly at her mother.

To all appearance, Mrs.Vanstone had been alarmed by the change in him also.