hat my feelings are in this matter. My daughter has gone
off with you, forgetting all the duty that she owed to me and to her
mother, and throwing aside all ideas of propriety. After that I will
not say that you shall not marry her if both of you think fit. I do
not doubt your means, and I have no reason for supposing that you
would be cruel to her. You are two fools, but after all fools must
live in the world. What I do say is, that I will not give a sixpence
towards supporting you in your folly. Now, Captain Batsby, you can
complete the alliance or not as you please."

Captain Batsby had been called a fool also at Ostend, and there,
amidst the distressing circumstances of his position, had been
constrained to bear the opprobious name, little customary as it is
for one gentleman to allow himself to be called a fool by another;
but now he had collected his thoughts, had reminded himself of his
position in the world, and had told himself that it did not become
him to be too humble before this City man of business. It might have
been all very well at Ostend; but he was not going to be called a
fool in London without resenting it. "Sir Thomas," said he, "fool and
folly are terms which I cannot allow you to use to me."

"If you do not present yourself to me here, Captain Batsby, or at my
own house,--or, perhaps I may say, at Ostend,--I will use no such
terms to you."

"I suppose you will acknowledge that I am entitled to ask for your
daughter's hand."

"I suppose you will acknowledge that when a man runs away with my
daughter I am entitled to express my opinion of his conduct."

"That is all over now, Sir Thomas. What I did I did for love. There
is no good in crying over spilt milk. The question is as to the
future happiness of the young lady."

"That is the only wise word I have heard you say, Captain Batsby.
There is no good in crying after spilt milk. Our journey to Ostend is
done and gone. It was not very agreeable, but we have lived through
it. I quite think that you show a good judgment in not intending to
go there again in quest of a clergyman. If you want to be married
there are plenty of them in London. I will not oppose your marriage,
but I will not give you a shilling. No man ever had a better
opportunity of showing the disinterestedness of his affection. Now,
good morning."

"But, Sir Thomas--"

"Captain Batsby, my time is precious. I have told you all that there
is to tell." Then he stood up, and the