I cannot but think you must have known that you were not entitled to give your love to any man without being assured that the man would be approved of by--by--by me." He was going to say, "your parents," but was stopped by the remembrance of his wife's imprudence.
She saw it all, and was too noble to plead her mother's authority.
But she was not too dutiful to cast a reproach upon him, when he was so stern to her.

"You have been so little with me, papa." "That is true," he said, after a pause.

"That is true.

It has been a fault, and I will mend it.

It is a reason for forgiveness, and I will forgive you.