‘ “Ah, well! I have heard that story before now.”
‘ “Father, have you anything to reproach Annita for?”
‘ “No; but I will not have my son mix Finnish peasant blood with ours. I will have you marry a girl who is your equal in station and position, and that Theodora Petrovna is.”
‘ “But if I won’t?” I made bold to say once more.
‘ “You won’t! You can’t! you shall, though!” exclaimed my father in a rage.
‘ “Will I, though?”
‘ “Yes, you shall. I am master in my own house, and in my family. You are to marry Theodora, even if I have to lead you bound, and cudgelled, to the altar. In any case, I will never consent to your marriage with Annita. Now you know my answer, and we have no need to say anything more about it.”
‘ “Just one word,” I said respectfully; “I am your only child [[63]]and your heir, and I may presume that you have some little affection for me. Why can’t you grant me my heart’s fondest wish? Annita would make me a more faithful and affectionate wife than any other woman I know. Why should we, who are both in a sense your children, be compelled to curse, instead of to bless you?”
‘ “I see what is for your future good, better than you do yourself. The whole thing is nothing more than a passing romantic fancy, and it won’t be long before you yourself will give it up as a piece of folly.”
‘ “No,” I exclaimed, “not before Annita or I am dead.” And with these words I left my father.