“And that you will never marry Piers under any circumstances?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“And she thinks you ‘presumptuous’ in hoping to marry her son?”
“Yes, dear Mother. She said ‘presumptuous.’ Am I; ought I to do as she wishes me? Oh, I cannot give up Piers! Only this morning he told me that he would never marry any woman but me.”
“Have I or your good father told you to give up Piers?”
“No, Mother.”
“When we do, you will of course know we have good reasons for such an order, and you will give him up. But as yet, father hasn’t said such a word; and I haven’t. Kitty darling, the Fifth Commandment only asks you to obey your own father and mother. Let the Duchess put the ‘giving up’ where it ought to be. Let her tell her son to give you up–that is quite as far as her authority extends. She has nothing to say to Kate Atheling; nor has my little Kitty any obligation to obey her. She must give such orders to Piers Exham. It is the duty of his heart and conscience to decide whether he will obey or not.”
“Then I can go on loving him, Mother, without wronging myself or others?”
“Go on loving him, dearie.”
“He said he was coming to ride with me at three o’clock.”