Was it fitting that he should ask such a woman to be his wife?
But then Mr.Kennedy was the son of a man who had walked into Glasgow with half-a-crown in his pocket.

Mr.Kennedy's grandfather had been,--Phineas thought that he had heard that Mr.Kennedy's grandfather had been a Scotch drover; whereas his own grandfather had been a little squire near Ennistimon, in county Clare, and his own first cousin once removed still held the paternal acres at Finn Grove.

His family was supposed to be descended from kings in that part of Ireland.

It certainly did not become him to fear Lady Laura on the score of rank, if it was to be allowed to Mr.Kennedy to proceed without fear on that head.

As to wealth, Lady Laura had already told him that her fortune was no greater than his.