So she told her cousin that she would think about it; which was quite as much as he could have expected.

He took his leave all but satisfied that he had carried his point, and not a little uplifted with his prospects.
For was it not a point worth carrying--to get both the money and the owner of it into his own hands?
Not that he meant conscious dishonesty to Annie.

He only rejoiced to think that he would thus satisfy any expectations that the public might have formed of him, and would enjoy besides a splendid increase of capital for his business; while he hoped to keep the girl upon less than the interest would come to.

And then, if anything should happen to her--seeing she was not over vigorous--the result was worth waiting for; whereas--if she throve--he had sons growing up, one of whom might take a fancy to the heiress, and would have facilities for marrying her, &c.

&c.; for Grocer Robert was as deep in his foresight and scheming as King Robert, the crowning triumph of whose intellect, in the eyes of his descendant, was the strewing of the caltrops on the field of Bannockburn.
But James Dow was _ill-pleased_ when he heard of the arrangement--which was completed in due time.