And if it could be so managed that the daughter should, before the old man's death, become his favourite child, that also would be well.

He was therefore very careful about the letter, which was as follows:-- MY DEAR MR.

WHARTON, I cannot let your letter to Emily pass without thanking you myself for the very liberal response made by you to what was of course a request from myself.

Let me in the first place assure you that had you, before our marriage, made any inquiry about my money affairs, I would have told you everything with accuracy; but as you did not do so I thought that I should seem to intrude upon you, if I introduced the subject.

It is too long for a letter, but whenever you may like to allude to it, you will find that I will be quite open with you.
I am engaged in business which often requires the use of a considerable amount of capital.