Edward Cossey, when he reached Boisingham on the evening of his
engagement, at once wrote and posted a note to the Squire, saying that
he would call on the following morning about a matter of business.
Accordingly, at half-past ten o'clock, he arrived and was shown into
the vestibule, where he found the old gentleman standing with his back
to the fire and plunged in reflection.
"Well, Mr. de la Molle," said Edward, rather nervously, so soon as he
had shaken hands, "I do not know if Ida has spoken to you about what
took place between us yesterday."
"Yes," he said, "yes, she told me something to the effect that she had
accepted a proposal of marriage from you, subject to my consent, of
course; but really the whole thing is so sudden that I have hardly had
time to consider it."
"It is very simple," said Edward; "I am deeply attached to your
daughter, and I have been so fortunate as to be accepted by her.
Should you give your consent to the marriage, I may as well say at
once that I wish to carry out the most liberal money arrangements in
my power. I will make Ida a present of the mortgage that I hold over
this property, and she may put it in the fire. Further, I will
covenant on the death of my father, which cannot now be long delayed,
to settle two hundred thousand pounds upon her absolutely.
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