“Your father, Ulverston, is a sensible man!” said Mr. Morville.
As much confounded as it was possible for her to be, the Dowager said, with finality: “I do not desire to discuss Lady Selina. I must decline to enter upon any argument. I cannot think that St. Erth will refuse to be guided by my advice, for although I do not deny he has behaved very selfishly to me upon more than one occasion I do not consider that his disposition is bad.”
“How can you? How can you, ma’am, say such a thing of him?” uttered Miss Morville, moved to sit up. “When he has behaved to you with such forbearance — such patience!”
“Hush, my love! This is not like you!” expostulated the Earl, startled.
“Because I have not spoken, do not imagine that I have not felt! ”said Miss Morville. “I had no right to speak, but I have very often burned to do so!” She added, with resolution: “I trust I shall always behave with propriety towards the members of St. Erth’s family, but I will not allow him to be scolded, and slighted, and beset, which is something I viewed with the strongest disapprobation, even when I felt no decided partiality for him! Or, at any rate,” she amended conscientiously, “not very much!”
“My dear sir, I wish you will give me leave to address your daughter at once! ”said the Earl, quite entranced by this sudden and unexpected declaration of war on the part of his chosen bride.
“Certainly not!” replied Mr. Morville. “I consider the alliance wholly unsuitable. My daughter has been reared in accordance with principles which I do not doubt are repugnant to you. Even were you to assure me that you regard with sympathy the ideals to the promulgation of which I have devoted my life, I should remain adamant!”
“But I don’t regard them with sympathy!” said the Earl.
“You don’t?” repeated Mr. Morville, looking at him very hard.
“No, how should I? I have not the smallest desire to live in a Republican state, and if an attempt were made to strip me of my possessions I should resist it to the utmost of my power.”