My poor papa and
Eddy's father made their agreement together, as very dear and firm
and fast friends, in order that we, too, might be very dear and
firm and fast friends after them?'
'Just so.'
'For the lasting good of both of us, and the lasting happiness of
both of us?'
'Just so.'
'That we might be to one another even much more than they had been
to one another?'
'Just so.'
'It was not bound upon Eddy, and it was not bound upon me, by any
forfeit, in case--'
'Don't be agitated, my dear. In the case that it brings tears into
your affectionate eyes even to picture to yourself--in the case of
your not marrying one another--no, no forfeiture on either side.
You would then have been my ward until you were of age. No worse
would have befallen you. Bad enough perhaps!'
'And Eddy?'
'He would have come into his partnership derived from his father,
and into its arrears to his credit (if any), on attaining his
majority, just as now.'
Rosa, with her perplexed face and knitted brow, bit the corner of
her attested copy, as she sat with her head on one side, looking
abstractedly on the floor, and smoothing it with her foot.
'In short,' said Mr. Grewgious, 'this betrothal is a wish, a
sentiment, a friendly project, tenderly expressed on both sides.
That it was strongly felt, and that there was a lively hope that it
would prosper, there can be no doubt.
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