When Dick told your father he was poor, he was well within the limits of the truth, although he did it, as I understand, to gain his own ends.

When he told you a different story, he merely assumed that this quarrel, like others, would end in a reconciliation.
He felt remorseful that he had practised a mild deception on your father, and wished to clear his conscience.

Death intervened at this moment, and placed our young friend in the uncomfortable position of having told untruths all round.

You probably know better than I do, Mademoiselle, why he got himself into this hobble." But Lucille would make no such admission.
"But you ignore Isabella," she cried, impatiently, "you and Mr.
Howard." "She will not allow us to do that, my dear young lady." "Is she to wait with folded hands until Mr.Howard decides whether he is inclined to marry her or not ?" "There is no waiting in the question," said John Turner.

"Dick made up his mind long ago, in the lifetime of his father, and Isabella must be aware of his decision.