"Stop. Mind what you are saying—or you may repent it."
And Mr. Halifax, speaking in that low tone to which his voice fell in serious displeasure, laid a heavy hand on the lad's shoulder. Father and son exchanged fiery glances. The mother, terrified, rushed between them.
"Don't, John! Don't be angry with him. He could not help it,—my poor boy!"
At her piteous look Guy and his father both drew back. John put his arm round his wife, and made her sit down. She was trembling exceedingly.
"You see, Guy, how wrong you have been. How could you wound your mother so?"
"I did not mean to wound her," the lad answered. "I only wished to prevent her from being unjust and unkind to one to whom she must show all justice and kindness. One whom I respect, esteem—whom I LOVE."
"Love!"
"Yes, mother! Yes, father! I love her. I intend to marry her."
Guy said this with an air of quiet determination, very different from the usual impetuosity of his character. It was easy to perceive that a great change had come over him; that in this passion, the silent growth of which no one had suspected, he was most thoroughly in earnest. From the boy he had suddenly started up into the man; and his parents saw it.
They looked at him, and then mournfully at one another. The father was the first to speak.