f I waste--I do not say on
you, but on men of ten times your fortune (whatever that be)--the means
of strength which are at my disposal in the hand of Fanny Trevanion.
To this end I have looked, but to this end her mother has schemed;
for these household matters are within a man's hopes, but belong to
a woman's policy. So much for us. But to you, my dear and frank and
high-souled young friend; to you, if I were not Fanny's father, if I
were your nearest relation, and Fanny could be had for the asking, with
all her princely dower (for it is princely),--to you I should say, fly
from a load upon the heart, on the genius, the energy, the pride, and
the spirit, which not one man in ten thousand can bear; fly from the
curse of owing everything to a wife! It is a reversal of all natural
position, it is a blow to all the manhood within us. You know not what
it is; I do! My wife's fortune came not till after marriage,--so far, so
well; it saved my reputation from the charge of fortune-hunting. But, I
tell you fairly, that if it had never come at all, I should be a prouder
and a greater and a happier man than I have ever been, or ever can be,
with all its advantages: it has been a millstone round my neck. And yet
Ellinor has never breathed a word that could wound my pride. Would her
daughter be as forbearing? Much as I love Fanny, I doubt if she has the
great heart of her mother. You look incredulous,--naturally. Oh, you
think I shall sacrifice my child's happiness to a politician's ambition.
Folly of youth! Fanny would be wretched with you. She might not think so
now; she would five years hence! Fanny will make an admirable duchess,
countess, great lady; but wife to a man who owes all to her! No, no;
don't dream it! I shall not sacrifice her happiness, depend on it. I
speak plainly, as man to man,--man of the world to a man just entering
it,--but still man to man! What say you?"

"I will think over all you tell me. I know that you are speaking to me
most generously,--as a father would. Now let me go, and may God keep you
and yours!"

"Go,--I return your blessing; go! I don't insult you now with offers of
service; but remember, you have a right to command them,--in all ways,
in all times. Stop! take this comfort away with you,--a sorry comfort
now, a great one hereafter. In a position that might have moved anger,
scorn, pity, you have made a barren-hearted man honor and admire you.
You, a boy, have made me, with my gray hairs, t