Wishing you a
speedy and complete recovery, and every happiness and prosperity
in your future life, believe me, dear Mr. Cossey,
"Very truly yours,
"Ida de la Molle."
He put down this uncompromising and crushing epistle and nervously
glanced at the Squire's, which was very short.
"My dear Cossey," it began,--
"Ida has shown me the inclosed letter. I think that you did unwisely
when you entered into what must be called a money bargain for my
daughter's hand. Whether under all the circumstances she does
either well or wisely to repudiate the engagement after it has
once been agreed upon, is not for me to judge. She is a free agent
and has a natural right to dispose of her life as she thinks fit.
This being so I have of course no option but to endorse her
decision, so far as I have anything to do with the matter. It is a
decision which I for some reasons regret, but which I am quite
powerless to alter.
"Believe me, with kind regards,
"Truly yours,
"James de la Molle."
Edward Cossey turned his face to the wall and indulged in such
meditations as the occasion gave rise to, and they were bitter enough.
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