y remarked; "but the meaning's
clear. Farnaby has said No."

Amelius jumped off the sofa, and planted himself defiantly on the
hearthrug.

"You're wrong for once," he said, with a bitter laugh. "The
exasperating part of it is that Farnaby has said neither Yes nor No.
The oily-whiskered brute--you haven't seen him yet, have you?--began
by saying Yes. 'A man like me, the heir of a fine old English family,
honoured him by making proposals; he could wish no more brilliant
prospect for his dear adopted child. She would fill the high position
that was offered to her, and fill it worthily.' That was the fawning
way in which he talked to me at first! He squeezed my hand in his horrid
cold shiny paw till, I give you my word of honour, I felt as if I was
going to be sick. Wait a little; you haven't heard the worst of it
yet. He soon altered his tone--it began with his asking me, if I had
'considered the question of settlements'. I didn't know what he meant.
He had to put it in plain English; he wanted to hear what my property
was. 'Oh, that's soon settled,' I said. 'I've got five hundred a year;
and Regina is welcome to every farthing of it.' He fell back in his
chair as if I had shot him; he turned--it was worse than pale, he
positively turned green. At first he wouldn't believe me; he declared I
must be joking. I set him right about that immediately. His next change
was a proud impudence. 'Have you not observed, sir, in what style Regina
is accustomed to live in my house? Five hundred a year? Good heavens!
With strict economy, five hundred a year might pay her milliner's bill
and the keep of her horse and carriage. Who is to pay for everything
else--the establishment, the dinner-parties and balls, the tour abroad,
the children, the nurses, the doctor? I tell you this, Mr. Goldenheart,
I'm willing to make a sacrifice to you, as a born gentleman, which I
would certainly not consent to in the case of any self-made man. Enlarge
your income, sir, to no more than four times five hundred pounds, and
I guarantee a yearly allowance to Regina of half as much again, besides
the fortune which she will inherit at my death. That will make your
income three thousand a year to start with. I know something of domestic
expenses, and I tell you positively, you can't do it on a farthing
less.' That was his language, Rufus. The insolence of his tone I can't
attempt to describe. If I hadn't thought of Regina, I should have
behaved in a manner unwo