her father and she together are so
distressing, that the best of their society has fallen
away from them. Her treatment to you was such that I
could never endure her afterwards. Now the opening for a
clergyman with pure Gospel doctrines would be the best
thing that has turned up for a long time. The church would
be worth over six hundred a year, besides the interest of
the money which would have to be laid out. I could have
all this commenced at once, and secure the incumbency,
if I could myself head the subscription list with two
thousand pounds. It should not be less than that. You will
understand that the money would not be given, though, no
doubt, a great many persons would, in this way, be induced
to give theirs. But the pew rents would go in the first
instance to provide interest for the money not given, but
lent; as would of course be the case with your money, if
you would advance it.

I should not think of such a plan as this if I did not
feel that it was the best thing for your interests; that
is, if, as I fondly hope, I am ever to call you mine.
Of course, in that case, it is only common prudence on
my part to do all I can to insure for myself such a
professional income, for your sake. For, dearest Margaret,
my brightest earthly hope is to see you with everything
comfortable around you. If that could be arranged, it
would be quite within our means to keep some sort of
carriage.

Here would be a fine opportunity for rivalling Mrs Stumfold! That was
the temptation with which he hoped to allure her.

But the thing must be done quite immediately; therefore
let me pray you not to postpone my hopes with unnecessary
delay. I know it seems unromantic to urge a lady with
any pecuniary considerations, but I think that under the
circumstances, as I have explained them, you will forgive
me.

Believe me to be, dearest Margaret,
Yours, with truest,
Most devoted affection,

JEREH. MAGUIRE.

One man had wanted her money to buy a house on a mortgage, and
another now asked for it to build a church, giving her, or promising
to give her, the security of the pew rents. Which of the two was
the worst? They were both her lovers, and she thought that he was
the worst who first made his love and then tried to get her money.
These were the ideas which at once occurred to her upon her reading
Mr Maguire's lette