"Howard would say it is injuring the cause of the country to turn agriculturists into speculators," said Frances. "Howard is an excellent man," replied Mr. Draper; "he is born to be a farmer, and nothing else. I have no wish to change his vocation; he dignifies it by uniting intelligence with manual labor; but there are many who are toiling merely for money, and they can get much more by my method than his." "Will their happiness be increased?" said Mrs. Draper. "Certainly, inasmuch as wealth procures the means of happiness." "Have _you_ found it so?" again asked Frances. "Not precisely. I am still toiling; my season for rest and enjoyment has not arrived." "And yet," said Frances, "Howard is _rich enough_ for enjoyment. You have already a great estate; let me ask, what advantage you derive from it beyond your daily meals? You take care of this immense property; you are continually increasing it, and all the compensation you get is a _bare living_. Would any of the clerks you employ in your counting-room labor for such low wages?" "My dear Frances," said Mr. Draper, affectionately, "I am always contented to admire your ingenuity without combating your arguments. Perhaps it might be better, if you had cultivated a little more of the _rationale_ of life." "Well," replied she, languidly smiling, "I am going to prove to you, that I have profited by your example, and am becoming a business wife. You call this farm _mine_, and tell me you bought it for me?" "Certainly; all I have is yours." "I claim no title to any thing but this; but this I consider your gift, and as such accept it." Mr. Draper certainly did not look delighted at this unexpected statement, and began to tremble for his rail-road; but he remained silent. "You have undoubtedly greatly increased the actual value of Clyde Farm, by mills and manufactories?" "Certainly I have; but all is in a manner useless without the rail-road as a means of transportation: that will put every thing into complete operation, and make the revenue princely." "Then," said Frances, "I can have no hesitation in making my offer. I will sell this place to you for what you gave for it. Secure the sum to me outright, and I renounce my title to Clyde Farm. Make it, if you please, wholly a manufacturing place; do not consult me whether there shall be rail-roads or mills." "Upon my word," said Mr. Draper, "with an estate like mine, I should be mortified to make such a paltry purchase of my wife. It is for you and our only child that I am accumulating a fortune. Have you ever found me sordid or tenacious of money, that you wish a certain sum secured to you?" "Never," said she with emotion; "all that money can purchase, you have been most liberal in procuring me. Would that you were as generous to yourself!"