If you knew what it was to have one child and only that you would not joke with me." "I am quite in earnest.

I am not joking." "And what is to be the end of it ?" "The end of it! How can I say?
My uncle is an old man,--very old, very infirm, very good, very prejudiced, and broken-hearted because his own son, who died, married against his will." "You would not liken my Kate to such as that woman was ?" "Your Kate! She is my Kate as much as yours.

Such a thought as that would be an injury to me as deep as to you.

You know that to me my Kate, our Kate, is all excellence,--as pure and good as she is bright and beautiful.

As God is above us she shall be my wife,--but I cannot take her to Scroope Manor as my wife while my uncle lives." "Why should any one be ashamed of her at Scroope Manor ?" "Because they are fools.