“And my answer to your uncle, is to be simply, that you will not obey him?”
“I should hope, Mr. Sandford, that you would express it in better terms.”
“Tell me the terms, and I will be exact.”
Rushbrook struck his forehead, and walked about the room.
“Am I to give him any reason for your disobeying him?”
“I tell you again, that I dare not name the cause.”
“Then why do you submit to a power you are ashamed to own?”
“I am not ashamed—I glory in it.—Are you ashamed of your esteem for Lady Matilda?”
“Oh! if she is the cause of your disobedience, be assured I shall not mention it, for I am forbid to name her.”
“And surely, as that is the case, I need not fear to speak plainly to you. I love Lady Matilda—or, perhaps, unacquainted with love, what I feel may be only pity—and if so, pity is the most pleasing passion that ever possessed a human heart, and I would not change it for all her father’s estates.”