But you must not decide hastily; there are great disadvantages which you must consider, and I, as your guardian and friend, must point them out to you.

I must forget my son's interests in the faithful discharge of my trust.

John has a cloud upon his name." "Don't, don't!" I said, "if he had a hundred clouds upon his name it would be all the same to me." "Then you love him well ?" she said tenderly, sighing and smiling at the same time.
"I think I do," I said; "but that is only a misfortune, for you know I have refused him." "Well," she said cheerfully, "perhaps it is for the best.

You must go to London with your friends, and test your feeling by absence and the society of others.

If you remain unattracted by those who are better placed in the world, I think John will try again, in spite of his pride.
I know I should in his place," she said, lifting up my disturbed face, and looking in it with a half quizzical fondness.
I answered by throwing my arms round her neck in a long tearful embrace, and after that we sat long by the fireside talking the matter over.