“And what, pray, would you make of me?” she said coolly. “Your slave?”
“I would have you an honest woman! I would die for that!—Oh, mother! mother!” he cried bitterly.
“That being apparently impossible, what else does my dutiful son demand of his mother?”
“That she should leave me unmolested in my choice of a wife. It does not seem to me an unreasonable demand!”
“Nor does it seem to me an unreasonable reply, that any mother would object to her son's marrying a girl whose father she could throw into a felon's-prison with a word!”
“That the girl does not happen to be the daughter of the gentleman you mean, signifies nothing: I am very willing she should pass for such. But take care. He is ready to meet whatever you have to say. He is not gone for his own sake, but to be out of the way of our happiness—to prevent you from blasting us with a public scandal. If you proceed in your purpose, we shall marry at once, and make your scheme futile.”
“How are you to live, pray?”
“Madam, that is my business,” answered John.
“Are you aware of the penalty on your marrying without my consent?” pursued his mother.
“I am not. I do not believe there is any such penalty.”