She is getting well--you know Sir Matthew said she would." "Yes; but I suppose papa thinks they had better say nothing till she is quite well." "And when she is! How famous it will be." "Then there's another thing; he is very poor, you know." "I am sure papa doesn't care about people being rich." "I suppose Alan thinks he ought not to marry, unless he could make his wife comfortable." "Look here--it would be all very easy: she should stay with us, and be comfortable here, and he go to sea, and get lots of prize money." "And that's what you call domestic felicity!" said Norman, laughing.
"He might have her when he was at home," said Ethel.
"No, no; that would never do," said Norman.

"Do you think Ernescliffe's a man that would marry a wife for her father to maintain her ?" "Why, papa would like it very much.

He is not a mercenary father in a book." "Hey! what's that ?" said a voice Ethel little expected.

"Contraband talk at contraband times?
What's this!" "Did you hear, papa ?" said Ethel, looking down.
"Only your last words, as I came up to ask Norman what he had done with my pocket-book.

Mind, I ask no impertinent questions; but, if you have no objection, I should like to know what gained me the honour of that compliment." "Norman ?" said Ethel interrogatively, and blushing in emulation of her brother, who was crimson.
"I'll find it," said he, rushing off with a sort of nod and sign, that conveyed to Ethel that there was no help for it.
So, with much confusion, she whispered into her papa's ear that Norman had been telling her something he guessed about Mr.Ernescliffe.
Her father at first smiled, a pleased amused smile.