“A genius, perhaps?”

“You sneer, perhaps; and you take a lofty air upon yourself perhaps! But I tell you this:⁠—when that young fellow’s interest is concerned, he holds as tight as a horseleech. When money is in question with that young fellow, he is a match for the Devil.”

“Is he a match for you?”

“He is. Almost as good a one as you thought me for you. He has no quality of youth in him, but such as you have seen today. Touch him upon money, and you touch no booby then. He really is a dolt, I suppose, in other things; but it answers his one purpose very well.”

“Has she money in her own right in any case?”

“Ay! she has money in her own right in any case. You have done so well today, Sophronia, that I answer the question, though you know I object to any such questions. You have done so well today, Sophronia, that you must be tired. Get to bed.”