Maud, on the other hand, has only seen the fifteen or
twenty men who came here; she knows nothing of the world and is
altogether inexperienced. They are both going to England, and may
not improbably meet people whom they may like very much better, and
may look upon this love-making in the pampas as a folly. At the end
of another two years, when Maud is nineteen, if Mr. Cooper renew
the acquaintance in England, and both parties agree, I shall of
course offer no objection, and indeed should rejoice much at a
match which would promise well for her happiness."
Mrs. Hardy thoroughly agreed with her husband, and so the matter
rested for a short time.
It was well that Mr. Hardy had been warned by his wife, for a week
after this Mr. Cooper met him alone when he was out riding, and
after some introduction, expressed to him that he had long felt
that he had loved his daughter, but had waited until she was
seventeen before expressing his wishes. He said that he had delayed
his departure for England on this account alone, and now asked
permission to pay his addresses to her, adding that he hoped that
he was not altogether indifferent to her.
Mr. Hardy heard him quietly to the end.
"I can hardly say that I am unprepared for what you say, Mr.
Cooper, although I had never thought of such a thing until two days
since.
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