"
"But I'll have a voice in the matter, for all that. Secrets or no
secrets, you will find that Laura has a father, and that he is not a man
to be set aside. I may have had my ups and downs in trade, but I have
not quite fallen so low that I am nothing in my own family. What am I
to get out of this precious marriage?"
"What should you get? Surely Laura's happiness and welfare are enough
for you?"
"If this man were really fond of Laura he would show proper
consideration for Laura's father. It was only yesterday that I asked
him for a loan-condescended actually to ask for it--I, who have been
within an ace of being Mayor of Birmingham! And he refused me point
blank."
"Oh, father! How could you expose yourself to such humiliation?"
"Refused me point blank!" cried the old man excitedly. "It was against
his principles, if you please. But I'll be even with him--you see if I
am not. I know one or two things about him. What is it they call him
at the Three Pigeons? A 'smasher'--that's the word-a coiner of false
money. Why else should he have this metal sent him, and that great
smoky chimney of his going all day?"
"Why can you not leave him alone, father?" expostulated Robert. "You
seem to think of nothing but his money.
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