“No, my lord—I am not precisely angry,” she returned; “but I tremble to approach a topic which involves so many difficulties.”
“Ah! madam—with your strong mind, all difficulties are surmountable,” said Charles “and you have only to stipulate, in order that I shall assent to every thing that you may propose.”
“In the first place,” resumed the wily woman, “you are aware of the strange—fanciful—and, I must say, unfortunate notions which my daughter has imbibed relative to marriage; and your lordship must be aware that—supposing your mutual passion be allowed to take its course unrestrained—the world will regard her only as your lordship’s mistress!”
“Madam—I would cheerfully conduct her to the altar——”
“Whither she will not go,” added the old woman, emphatically. “No—my lord, it is useless to reason with that strong—headed, obstinate girl on the subject. Admitting, then, that I—her mother—placing her happiness above conventional opinions, and entertaining implicit faith in your honour and integrity,—admitting, I say, that I consent to the union of hearts proposed in this case,—waiving the ceremony of the union of hands,—can you, my lord, undertake to ensure my daughter against the contingencies of poverty?”
“Situated as I now am, the means at my disposal an limited indeed,” said Charles Hatfield: “but the moment my rights are proclaimed and recognised——”
“Then, at the same instant, the family estates, at present held by the Earl of Ellingham, will pass into the hands of your father—and you still remain totally dependant upon him until his death,” said Mrs. Fitzhardinge, embracing at a glance the whole range of contingencies.
“True!” cried Charles, suddenly becoming much embarrassed, and seeing difficulties most unexpectedly start up.
“But,” resumed Mrs. Fitzhardinge, after a few minutes’ pause, and laying strong emphasis upon the monosyllable,—“but, my lord, even should you immediately quarrel with your father by compelling him to wrest the titles and estates from the hands of his younger brother who now holds them, there are ways and means for your lordship to raise money—those estates becoming inalienably yours in the perspective.”
“Yes—I understand—there is that alternative!” exclaimed Charles. “But my father would not discard me altogether—he would not deprive me of the means of support during his life-time——”