Hitherto, regard for you has prevented my taking steps as to sale of timber, &c., which would materially increase your sisters' portions; this just measure I shall infallibly take if I find you persevere in keeping to this silly engagement.

Your father's disapproval is always a sufficient reason to allege." Ralph was annoyed at the receipt of these letters, though he only smiled as he locked them up in his desk.
"Dear old father! how he blusters! As to my mother, she is reasonable when I talk to her.

Once give her a definite idea of what Ellinor's fortune will be, and let her, if she chooses, cut down her timber--a threat she has held over me ever since I knew what a rocking-horse was, and which I have known to be illegal these ten years past--and she'll come round.

I know better than they do how Reginald has run up post-obits, and as for that vulgar high-born Lady Maria they are all so full of, why, she is a Flanders mare to my Ellinor, and has not a silver penny to cross herself with, besides! I bide my time, you dear good people!" He did not think it necessary to reply to these letters immediately, nor did he even allude to their contents in his to Ellinor.

Mr.Wilkins, who had been very well satisfied with his own letter to the young man, and had thought that it must be equally agreeable to every one, was not at all suspicious of any disapproval, because the fact of a distinct sanction on the part of Mr.Ralph Corbet's friends to his engagement was not communicated to him.
As for Ellinor, she trembled all over with happiness.