His only child was amply provided for; and he felt that, as regarded money, he had a right to do as he pleased.

He felt this with double strength after his father's threat.
But he had no right to make a marriage by which his family would be disgraced.

Whether he was right or wrong in supposing that he would disgrace his family were he to marry the daughter of a convicted thief, it is hardly necessary to discuss here.

He told himself that it would be so,--telling himself also that, by the stern laws of the world, the son and the daughter must pay for the offence of the father and the mother.

Even among the poor, who would willingly marry the child of a man who had been hanged?
But he carried the argument beyond this, thinking much of the matter, and endeavouring to think of it not only justly, but generously.