“His father said so. What would you have?”
“Fathers don’t know everything.”
“Now, Maude Atheling, my girl shall not marry where she is not wanted. I would rather see her in her death shroud than in her wedding gown, if things were in that way.”
“John, I have always been open as the day with you, and I will not change now. The Duchess said something like it to Kitty this morning, so you see there has been a plan between the Duke and Duchess to make trouble about Piers. Kitty came home very troubled.”
“And you let her go out with the man! I am astonished at you!”
“She asked me what she ought to do, and I told the dear girl to be happy until you told her to be miserable. If you think it is right to do so, tell her when she comes home never to see Piers again.”
“You had better tell her. I cannot.”
“I cannot, and I will not, for the life of me.” “Don’t you believe what I say?”
“Yes–with a grain of salt. Piers is to hear from yet.”
“Well, you must speak to her, Mother. My heart is too soft. It is your place to do it.”