Then I must go alone ?" "No, no." "Understand me," said Lady Mary, in a low voice, "for I am in earnest.
I have never deceived you.

I will not defy you in secret, like Peter; but I _will_ go and bid my only son God-speed, though the whole world conspired to prevent me.

_I will go!_" There was a pause.
"You speak," said Sir Timothy, resentfully, "as though I had habitually thwarted your wishes." "Oh, no," said his wife, softly, "you never even found out what they were." He did not notice the words; it is doubtful whether he heard them.
"It has been my best endeavour to promote your happiness throughout our married life, Mary, so far as I considered it compatible with your highest welfare.

I do not pretend I can enter into the high-flown and romantic feelings engendered by your reprehensible habit of novel-reading." "You've scolded me so often for that," said Lady Mary, half mockingly, half sadly.

"Can't we--keep to the subject in hand, as you said just now ?" "I have a reason, a strong reason," said Sir Timothy, "for wishing you to remain at home to-morrow.