第191章

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 opprobrious 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 Icannot 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 Captain with a stern demeanour and angry brow left the room and took himself in silence away from Lombard Street.

"Do you want to marry Captain Batsby?" Sir Thomas said to his daughter that evening, having invited her to come apart with him after dinner.

"Yes, I do."

"You think that you prefer him on the whole to Mr Houston?""Mr Houston is a scoundrel. I wish that you would not talk about him, papa.""I like him so much the best of the two," said Sir Thomas. "But of course it is for you to judge. I could have brought myself to give something to Houston. Luckily, however, Captain Batsby has got an income of his own.""He has, papa."

"And you are sure that you would like to take him as your husband?""Yes, papa."

"Very well. He has been with me today."

"Is he in London?"

"I tell you that he has been with me today in Lombard Street.""What did he say? Did he say anything about me?""Yes, my dear. He came to ask me for your hand.""Well, papa."

"I told him that I should make no objection -- that I should leave it altogether to you. I only interfered with one small detail as to my own wishes. I assured him that I should never give him or you a single shilling. I don't suppose it will matter much to him, as he has, you know, means of his own." It was thus that Sir Thomas punished his daughter for her misconduct.

Captain Batsby and the Trafficks were acquainted with each other.