The terms offered for this laying down of ready money were so advantageous, that Mr.Wilkins was strongly tempted to accede to them at once; as Ellinor's pale cheek and want of appetite had only that very morning smote upon his conscience, and this immediate transfer of ready money was as a sacrifice, a soothing balm to his self-reproach, and laziness and dislike to immediate unpleasantness of action had its counterbalancing weakness in imprudence.

Mr.Wilkins made some rough calculations on a piece of paper--deeds, and all such tests of accuracy, being down at the office; discovered that he could pay down the sum required; wrote a letter agreeing to the proposal, and before he sealed it called Ellinor into his study, and bade her read what he had been writing and tell him what she thought of it.

He watched the colour come rushing into her white face, her lips quiver and tremble, and even before the letter was ended she was in his arms kissing him, and thanking him with blushing caresses rather than words.
"There, there!" said he, smiling and sighing; "that will do.

Why, I do believe you took me for a hard-hearted father, just like a heroine's father in a book.

You've looked as woe-begone this week past as Ophelia.
One can't make up one's mind in a day about such sums of money as this, little woman; and you should have let your old father have time to consider." "Oh, papa; I was only afraid you were angry." "Well, if I was a bit perplexed, seeing you look so ill and pining was not the way to bring me round.