I felt myself hourly more and more completely at home in that simple domestic circle, and enjoyed the proud position of an accepted lover.

My Arcadian friends troubled themselves in nowise as to the approval or disapproval of Mr.and Mrs.Sheldon, or with regard either to my prospects or my antecedents.

They saw me devoted to my dear girl, they saw my dearest pleased by my devotion, and they loved her so well that they were ready to open their hearts without reserve to the man who adored her and was loved by her, let him be rich or poor, noble or base-born.

As they would have given her the wax-doll of her desire ten or twelve years ago without question as to price or fitness of things, so they now gave her their kindly smiles and approval for the lover of her choice.

"I know Phil Sheldon is a man who looks to the main chance," said uncle Joe, in the course of a discussion about his niece's future which dyed her cheeks with blushes in the present; "and I'll lay you'll find him rather a difficult customer to deal with, especially as poor Tom's will left all the money in Georgy's hands, which of course is tantamount to saying that Sheldon has got the disposal of it." I assured uncle Joe that money was the very last thing which I desired.
"Then in that case I don't see why he shouldn't let you have Charlotte," replied Mr.Mercer; "and if she's cheated out of her poor dad's money, she shan't be cheated out of what her old aunt and uncle may have to leave her by-and-by." Here were these worthy people promising me an heiress with no more compunction than if they had been offering me a cup of tea.
I walked homeward once more beneath the quiet stars.