"Mother, when you were alone in the world, didn't you feel that my father's place was with you?"
"Robert, your brothers have behaved like fools, but I hope you won't; you are all the hope I have left; it will break my heart if you do. This girl's father has turned out to be an impostor!"
"An impostor? Mother, in saying what you have to say to me will you please remember you are speaking of the woman who is to be my wife, and your daughter, and so choose language which does not convey more than you intend?"
"Don't presume to lecture me! that is going too far. I say he has turned out to be an impostor--and he has!"
"In what sense?"
"He told your father he was going to give his girl a house and furniture and five thousand a year, besides leaving her a rich woman when he died; and now he hasn't left enough to pay his debts; if that isn't being an impostor I don't know what is!"
"A good deal of water has gone over the mill since he said that; he may have had money then, and yet have lost every penny of it since."
"Then he ought to have told you."
"Why?"
"Why! you know perfectly well why. I believe it is your wish to irritate me, when I'm very far from well, as your father here will tell you. That man knew that you were not in a position to marry a poor woman, and that we should never have given our consent if it had not been for this distinct assurance that his daughter would be amply provided for."