“Max knows that his father will never consent to such match,” answered the mother; “therefore there is no use in talking more about the matter.” She rose and prepared to leave them. “Want of fortune I could have overlooked, and you might have been sure of my assistance, although my hopes have long been fixed on another object; but—such a connection as this—I never can—I never will sanction.”
Zedwitz waited until his mother was out of hearing, and then, drawing nearer his sister, said:
“Well, Agnes, what is to be done now? Do you think she will tell my father?”
“I think not directly; she knows you can do nothing without his consent.”
“Agnes, I have a right to your assistance, and claim it; your reproaches led to this premature discovery——”
“Not at all; mamma has been watching you the last three weeks.”
“And pray, why did you not tell me so?”
“I did not know it until a few days ago; and as you never come near me, or even look at me now, I had no opportunity of speaking to you on that, or indeed on any other subject.”
“How well you women know how to mix up reproach and excuse together. If you had only just called me aside——”
“If I had, you would have given me the answer which I have so often received from you lately.”