"I call
that a stiff way of putting it," he quietly 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.
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