That should not mean beggary, even though it may not mean prodigious wealth." "Every lover has talked the same," said Mrs.Hanway-Harley, not unkindly.

"Believe me, Mr.Storms: no man should ask a woman in marriage unless he can care for her as she was cared for in her father's house." "But the father's fortune is not sure," remonstrated Richard.

"The father's riches, or the lover's poverty, may vanish in a night." "We must deal with the present," said Mrs.Hanway-Harley.
Richard pondered the several perplexities of the case.
"If I had a fortune equal to Mr.Harley's, you would not object, madam ?" "It is the only bar I urge," said Mrs.Hanway-Harley suavely.
"Then I am to understand that, should a day come when I can measure wealth with Mr.Harley, I may claim Dorothy as my own ?" Mrs.Hanway-Harley bowed.
"My daughter, however, must not be bound by any promise." "Your daughter, madam," returned Richard, with a color of pride, "shall never be bound by me.

Though I held a score of promises, I would have no wife who did not come to me of her free choice.

I do not look on love as a business proposition." "Older people do," responded Mrs.Hanway-Harley dryly.
"Madam," said Richard, "I have only one more question to ask.