You're a
great deal better than you used to be. All you want is to lead a
natural life. It is a great deal more natural to marry a pretty
young lady that you're in love with than it is to remain single on
false principles."
"I'm not in love with Isabel," said Ralph.
"You said just now that you would be if you didn't think it wrong. I
want to prove to you that it isn't wrong."
"It will only tire you, dear daddy," said Ralph, who marvelled at
his father's tenacity and at his finding strength to insist. "Then
where shall we all be?"
"Where shall you be if I don't provide for you? You won't have
anything to do with the bank, and you won't have me to take care of.
You say you've so many interests; but I can't make them out."
Ralph leaned back in his chair with folded arms; his eyes were fixed
for some time in meditation. At last, with the air of a man fairly
mustering courage, "I take a great interest in my cousin," he said,
"but not the sort of interest you desire. I shall not live many years;
but I hope I shall live long enough to see what she does with herself.
She's entirely independent of me; I can exercise very little influence
upon her life.
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