How then was he overcome with amazement and grief when Mrs. Melville told him it was a union to which she could never consent! Then, for the first time in his life, the astonished young man heard of that stain which was on the name poor Rosalie bore.
He heard the story to the end, and, with a decision and energy that would have settled the matter with almost any other than his mother, he declared,
"Yet for all that, I will not give her up."
"It would not be expected that you would fulfil the engagement. Rosalie herself would not allow it, if she knew the truth of the matter."
"But she need not know it. There is no existing necessity. Is it not enough that she is good and precious to me? She is a noble woman, whose life has been, thanks to your guidance, beautiful and lofty."
"God knows, I have striven to do my duty by her, but I know what I should have done if I had ever thought you would wish to change your relations with her, Duncan."
"The world has not her equal! It is cruel—it is sinful—in you, mother, to oppose our union."
"She is a lovely woman; but, my son, there are myriads like her."
"No not one! Tell me you will never breathe a word of what you have told me to her!"
"Never."