Father and daughter for a minute gazed mutely at their uninvited guest,
the girl at least in no very amiable mood. But whatever her father's
faults might be, want of hospitality was not one of them, and what the
house could supply of meat and drink was speedily set before the
stranger. He was, as he made haste to inform them, the new owner of the
property, come down to take possession. "And egad! sir," said he
brusquely, "it strikes me it's not before it was time. There's a bit o'
money wanted here, anybody can see with half an eye." And with choice
criticisms of a similar nature he lightened the time in the intervals of
shovelling food into his heavy-lipped mouth.
"Yes, I've bought it--and paid for it, too--lock, stock, and barrel," he
resumed; "and we'll put things to rights in a brace of shakes. For
what's the use o' having money, says I, if a man don't spend it on his
whim! Ay! whether it's a fine lass, or what not, plank it down, and
enjoy yourself while ye can. That's what _I_ say. What's the sense o'
waiting till a man's too old? And I'm not so young as I was, thinks
Missie, eh? But let me tell you, there's many a fine lass, yet, that
would snap me up if she had the chance, if it was only for the sake of
the ducats.
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