"I can give you letters. I do not even ask you to take my word," he insisted.
"If you were a prince and heir to a throne, my answer would be the same," she said, coldly.
He looked at her in wonder.
"I can not understand you, Mrs. Fielding. Do you think that Flower is too young to marry?"
"No. At least, that has nothing to do with my refusal. I will tell you frankly, Mr. Meredith, what I mean, and that will save further discussion. I shall never permit either of my daughters to marry."
He was so stunned by astonishment that he could not speak for a moment; then he gasped out:
"Your reasons?"
"They are my own, and I do not choose to disclose them!" she haughtily replied.
"But you may change your mind some time, Mrs. Fielding. In the meantime, will you permit Flower to correspond with me while I am away?" he asked, feeling sure that she would not always cling to this preposterous resolution.