“Then why do you stay away so long?” replied Catherine —­ finding that he waited for an answer.

“That is kind of you, however —­ kind and good-natured.  I shall not forget it in a hurry.  But you have more good nature and all that, than anybody living, I believe.  A monstrous deal of good nature, and it is not only good nature, but you have so much, so much of everything; and then you have such —­ upon my soul, I do not know anybody like you.”

“Oh! dear, there are a great many people like me, I dare say, only a great deal better.  Good morning to you.”

“But I say, Miss Morland, I shall come and pay my respects at Fullerton before it is long, if not disagreeable.”

“Pray do.  My father and mother will be very glad to see you.”

“And I hope —­ I hope, Miss Morland, you will not be sorry to see me.”

“Oh! dear, not at all.  There are very few people I am sorry to see.  Company is always cheerful.”

“That is just my way of thinking.  Give me but a little cheerful company, let me only have the company of the people I love, let me only be where I like and with whom I like, and the devil take the rest, say I. And I am heartily glad to hear you say the same.  But I have a notion, Miss Morland, you and I think pretty much alike upon most matters.”

“Perhaps we may; but it is more than I ever thought of.  And as to most matters, to say the truth, there are not many that I know my own mind about.”

“By Jove, no more do I. It is not my way to bother my brains with what does not concern me.  My notion of things is simple enough.  Let me only have the girl I like, say I, with a comfortable house over my head, and what care I for all the rest?  Fortune is nothing.  I am sure of a good income of my own; and if she had not a penny, why, so much the better.”

“Very true.  I think like you there.  If there is a good fortune on one side, there can be no occasion for any on the other.  No matter which has it, so that there is enough.  I hate the idea of one great fortune looking out for another.  And to marry for money I think the wickedest thing in existence.  Good day.  We shall be very glad to see you at Fullerton, whenever it is convenient.”  And away she went.  It was not in the power of all his gallantry to detain her longer.  With such news to communicate, and such a visit to prepare for, her departure was not to be delayed by anything in his nature to urge; and she hurried away, leaving him to the undivided consciousness of his own happy address, and her explicit encouragement.