"
"No, it is not Hargrave's hand. It is strange that he says nothing
of the settlements."
"Here is a postscript, adding, 'Should you consent, Hargrave will
give you ample satisfaction as to the property which I can settle
on your daughter.'"
"Of that I have no doubt," said the Major. "Well, Betty, on
reflection, if I were only secure that no force was put on the
child's will, and if I could exchange a few words face to face
with Amyas Belamour, I should not be so utterly averse as I was
at first sight. She is a good child, and if she like him, and
find it not hard to do her duty by him, she might be as happy
as another. And since she is out of our reach it might save
her from worse. What say you, child?"
"That last is the strongest plea with me," said Betty, with set lips.
They took another evening for deliberation, but there was something
in the tone of the letter that wrought on them, and it ended in a
cautious consent being given, on the condition of the father being
fully satisfied of his daughter's free and voluntary acquiescence.
"After all," he said to Betty, "I shall be able to go up to Bowstead
for the wedding, and if I find that her inclinations have been forced,
I can take her away at all risks."
CHAPTER XIX. WOOING IN THE DARK.
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