The young man was in a most ill temper--perhaps on account of Dick's presence---- He made no pretence at concealing this ill temper. "I have every reason to complain," he said. "You avoid me; you will not answer my letters." "I am waiting to give you your final answer." "You gave that long ago." "I did not. I have told you all along that I was not certain whether the thing would tend to your happiness or my own. Above all, I refused to have any concealments." "This objection to concealment is a new thing. Before, you consented." "No; I never did consent. I have always told you that I would not be hidden away, like a thing to be ashamed of." "And I have always told you that my only reason was respect for my mother's prejudices." "Let me have my own prejudices, too; and I mean to have them respected." "You know that I love you, Molly." "That is no reason why you should insult me. If I am ever married, it must be openly, and in the sight of the world. I think I should ask my relations to be present. You would like to meet the parish clerk, and the pew-opener, and the ragged bankrupt. Don't use bad language, Sir Humphrey. Poor and lowly they may be, but perhaps--I'm sure I don't know--they are virtuous as well." "I don't mind what you say, Molly." "Then there are the Haverils." "The rich people! The man called upon me the other day, and talked conundrums. What have you got to do with them?" "They are my cousins. I am a great deal with them just now." "Oh! Is that what makes you so infernally independent?" "Shall I become the heiress of millions, or shall I be hidden away in a box by a husband who is ashamed of his wife? I have this choice." "Oh! Their heiress! If they will do that! But have you told them of your engagement?" "I am not engaged." "Don't be silly, Molly. How can you refuse what I offer you? Why did the man call on me, then?" "Did he call? What did he tell you?" "He talked about some tremendous secret--talked about my mother. I thought he meant you and the engagement. Then he told me--which was a most curious thing--that if I followed the wishes of my mother, I should have as much money as I want. Wishes of my mother! Why, if I told her that I was engaged to a lady named Pennefather, she would ask what your county was, and with whom you were connected, and where your people's property might lie. And if I said--you know--why, it would be a case of cutting me off with a shilling. Yet that respectable Dives went on talking about my mother's wishes." "Perhaps you did not understand him. At all events, he could not mean my engagement, because I am not engaged. This is the tenth time that I have reminded you of that fact, Sir Humphrey." "My mother would certainly like me to back out--I mean, not to go on." "Pray do back out." "I believe you want to take up with that detestable cad--the man you call Dick--loathsome worm!"