"Your aunt must have had him there on purpose," Mr.Wharton had said.

But Emily would neither accuse nor defend her aunt.

"I at least knew nothing of it," she said.

"I know that," Mr.Wharton had ejaculated.

"I know that.
I don't accuse you of anything, my dear,--except of thinking that you understand the world better than I do." Then Emily had retired and Mr.Wharton had been left to pass half the night in a perplexed reverie, feeling that he would be forced ultimately to give way, and yet certain that by doing so he would endanger his child's happiness.
He was very angry with his sister-in-law, and on the next day, early in the morning, he attacked her.