She did so, and was chid into silence.
The next morning, Sir Miles took the priest's arm and walked with him into the gardens.
"Mr.Fielden," he said, with the air of a man who has chosen his course, and deprecates all attempt to make him swerve from it, "if I followed my own selfish wishes, I should take home this poor child.

Stay, sir, and hear me,--I am no hypocrite, and I speak honestly.

I like young faces; I have no family of my own.

I love Lucretia, and I am proud of her; but a girl brought up in adversity might be a better nurse and a more docile companion,--let that pass.

I have reflected, and I feel that I cannot set to Lucretia--set to children unborn--the example of indifference to a name degraded and a race adulterated; you may call this pride or prejudice,--I view it differently.