"What is this, father?" began Anthony, in his imperious fashion, "That you have forbidden Bess to go to see the Malvine family, and the Madame is ill, had a falling fit this morning."
"It is not for us to make a scrape and a cringe to the like of them," answered the old man, raising himself in his chair by a hand on each arm, as he had sunk together in the seat. "I take it the Cleverdons need not stoop to that beggar brood."
"I did wrong," said Anthony, shortly. "And I have been to Willsworthy, and said I was sorry. I offered to put up a monument of stone to Master Richard Malvine at our own cost."
"You did!"
"Yes, father, I did, I would do it at my own expense."
"You have not a penny but what I allow you, and not one penny would I hand out for such a purpose."
"Then it is as well that my offer was refused."
"I bade you forbear going to that house when you spake of it this morning."
"You advised me not to go; but my conscience spoke louder than your voice, father, and I went."
"How were you received?" asked old Cleverdon, with a malignant leer.