In all essential points except that of wealth, the Elmslies were nearly the equals of the Monktons, and want of money in a bride was of no consequence to the heir of Wincot.

Alfred, it was well known, would succeed to thirty thousand a year on his father's death.
Thus, though the parents on both sides thought the young people not old enough to be married at once, they saw no reason why Ada and Alfred should not be engaged to each other, with the understanding that they should be united when young Monkton came of age, in two years' time.

The person to be consulted in the matter, after the parents, was my father, in his capacity of Ada's guardian.

He knew that the family misery had shown itself many years ago in Mrs.Monkton, who was her husband's cousin.

The _illness,_ as it was significantly called, had been palliated by careful treatment, and was reported to have passed away.
But my father was not to be deceived.