Let us suppose, however, that you should prove yourself the exception to the rule, it can't be done at once, can it?
Fortunes don't grow in a night, like mushrooms." "No, I suppose not, father.

Still, one might have some luck." "Possibly.

But meanwhile you have to fight against a man who has the luck, or rather the money in his pocket." "What do you mean ?" I asked, sitting up.
"I mean Hernando Pereira, Allan, Marais's nephew, who they say is one of the richest men in the Colony.

I know that he wishes to marry Marie." "How do you know it, father ?" "Because Marais told me so this afternoon, probably with a purpose.
He was struck with her beauty when he first saw her after your escape, which he had not done since she was a child, and as he stopped to guard the house while the rest went after the Quabies--well, you can guess.
Such things go quickly with these Southern men." I hid my face in the pillow, biting my lips to keep back the groan that was ready to burst from them, for I felt the hopelessness of the situation.

How could I compete with this rich and fortunate man, who naturally would be favoured of my betrothed's father?
Then on the blackness of my despair rose a star of hope.