She timidly expressed her feelings on this subject; the equal pain she would feel in opposing his wishes on the one hand, or, in marrying so soon after her mother’s death on the other.
“But why should you feel pain at the thought of marrying so soon after your poor mother’s death, my darling?” tenderly inquired her lover.
“It would seem heartless; it would seem disrespectful to her memory?” said the orphan.
“Not at all, my love. Daughters are sometimes, when expedient, married even beside the death-beds of their mothers. You have heard or read of such cases?”
“Yes.”
“Then why should you feel any scruple in marrying, if expedient, within a few weeks after your dear mother’s decease?”
“But is it expedient?” she inquired.
“It is more. It is absolutely necessary. We must immediately marry, or——PART.”
This last word struck her like a shot, as he intended that it should. She started, drew back, and gazed at him in consternation.
“Drusilla, my innocent, ignorant child, does it not occur to you that it would be wrong for you, a young girl, and I, a young man, to live alone together, or with only servants in the house, unless we were married?” he gravely inquired.