“Refuse? The devil, no,” replied Pat quickly. “Take her if you want her, and good luck to you both.” And he slapped his future son-in-law heartily on the shoulder, and declared him “too good a fellow to come to so bad an end.” And then old Pat grinned as contentedly as if he, too, had an object to be gained by this unexpected love match. CHAPTER XVIII. A SUCCESSFUL SPECULATION. It was evident that neither Fanny nor her future husband believed in procrastination; for not only did they set an early day for the wedding, but began at once--at least Fanny did--preparations for the coming event on a scale that was destined to overwhelm the natives of the city of sand and sawdust by its magnificence. Old Pat was inclined to object to such a hasty wedding, claiming, sensibly enough, that the young people needed time to become thoroughly acquainted with each other before they assumed the responsibilities of wedded life. He proposed a year’s delay, and quoted “marry in haste and repent at leisure,” and various other wise old saws, to support his position; but this did not suit either of the more nearly interested parties. Fanny had always looked upon marriage as the only possible relief from her position in life, and saw before her, in the contemplated trip to Europe, the realization of her fondest dreams, and was in a fever of expectation that was not likely to subside until she found herself en route. As for Elwell, he probably looked upon it as a successful speculation, and certainly was not likely to advocate any delay in the consummation thereof. Acting thus in concert, though from different reasons, they were altogether too much for old Pat, and he was obliged to withdraw his opposition to their immediate marriage, and the preparations went on at a rate that resulted in Pat’s wishing himself well rid of them both, that he might have a little comfort in his own house. It was settled that they were to make a “grand tour.” Elwell had protested feebly against this, and had called Fanny’s attention to the fact that his fortune was still to be made, and that a trip to Europe was a very expensive luxury for a comparatively poor man. It would have been better for both, perhaps, if Fanny had met his objections in a different spirit. He was not a bad man at heart, and he had proposed to himself that, in return for her fortune, he would contribute all he could to her happiness. But Fanny would accept no promises of future tours to be made when he had accomplished his fortune. She had her objects to be attained by this marriage no less clearly defined than his, and plainly intimated that if he was too poor to afford a trip to Europe, he was too poor to marry at all. And he had too much at stake to admit of any chance of failure by offending his capricious bride-elect. “We will go, dear, of course, if you wish it,” he said. “You know that I only desire to please you, and make you as happy as you have made me.” “Have I made you very happy?”