She looked like a little queen as she proudly faced him, and fearlessly advanced her independent principles.
But the spirit was on him to try her still further, and he asked:
“But, my dear, if you should live to see a son grow to man’s estate, would you be willing for him to seek out a wife among the mechanics or peasantry?”
It was a hard question, and Brownie thought a moment before replying. Then she said:
“Sir, I believe that the worldly condition of a person makes no difference with the heart or intellect, only so far as it contributes advantages of education and culture. If my son should choose a wife whose heart was pure and true, whose mind had been cultivated, and whose nature was refined, so that she was his equal morally and intellectually, for otherwise they could never be congenial, I should never dare take the responsibility of destroying the happiness of a lifetime, were she titled lady or peasant born.”
“What a noble-hearted little woman you are!” his lordship exclaimed, in admiration, and inspired with something of her own enthusiasm.
Then he added, with a little smile of amusement, while there was an expression of earnest entreaty in his eyes:
“My dear, I think if I had another grandson I should never dare judge his bride until I knew her personally. I like and admire you just as you are, independent of your being a Douglas. Now shall we shake hands and bury the hatchet?”
She looked up, and their eyes met.
She regarded him earnestly for a minute.