"I think my position, as Lizzie's guardian," resumed Mrs. Ford, "entitles me to an interest in the matter."
"Certainly, I acknowledged your interest by telling you of our engagement."
Further pause.
"Will you allow me to say," said Mrs. Ford, after a while, "that I think this a little selfish?"
"Allow you? Certainly, if you particularly desire it. Though I confess it isn't very pleasant for a man to sit and hear his future wife pitched into,—by his own mother, too."
"John, I am surprised at your language."
"I beg your pardon," and John spoke more gently. "You mustn't be surprised at anything from an accepted lover.—I'm sure you misconceive her. In fact, mother, I don't believe you know her."
Mrs. Ford nodded, with an infinite depth of meaning; and from the grimness with which she bit off the end of her thread it might have seemed that she fancied herself to be executing a human vengeance.
"Ah, I know her only too well!"
"And you don't like her?"