“No, mother,” said he.
She then, without explaining how she came acquainted with Jean's arguments, proceeded to demolish them one by one.
“If your mother is old and experienced,” said she, “benefit by her age and experience. She has not forgotten love, nor the ills it leads to, when not fortified by prudence. Scripture says a man shall cleave to his wife when he has left his parents; but in making that, the most important step of life, where do you read that he is to break the fifth commandment? But I do you wrong, Charles, you never could have listened to that vulgar girl when she told you your mother was not your best friend.”
“N—no, mother, of course not.”
“Then you will not go to that place to break my heart, and undo all you have done this week.”
“I should like to go, mother.”
“You will break my heart if you do.”
“Christie will feel herself slighted, and she has not deserved this treatment from me.”
“The other will explain to her, and if she is as good a girl as you say—”
“She is an angel!”