"Then you have come; you persist!" she said, addressing the gentleman!
"Step this way a moment," he answered in a subdued voice, opening the parlor door; "but first send this little girl up to Florence; if you still refuse, she must answer for a witness. Besides, she has flowers in her basket, and my sweet bride would think a wedding ominous without them!"
"Ominous indeed!" said the lady, pointing with her finger that Julia should ascend the stairs. "William, I will not allow this to go on; to witness the sin would be to share it."
"Mother," answered Leicester, gently taking the lady's hand, while he led her to the parlor, "tell me your objections, and I will answer them with all respect. Why is my marriage with Florence Craft opposed?"
"You have no right to marry—you are not free—cannot be so while Ada lives."
"But Ada is dead! Mother, say now if I am not free to choose a wife?"
"Dead! Ada Wilcox dead! Oh William, if this be true!"
"If! It is true. See, here are letters bearing proof that even you must acknowledge."
He held out some letters bearing an European post-mark. The old lady took them, put on her glasses, and suspiciously scrutinized every line.
"Are you convinced, mother, or must I go over sea, and tear the dead from her grave before your scruples yield?"