And coldly she spoke, in those tones which Jem knew and dreaded,
even before the meaning they expressed was fully shaped.
"Thou'rt old enough to please thysel. Old mothers are cast aside,
and what they've borne forgotten, as soon as a pretty face comes
across. I might have thought of that last Tuesday, when I felt as
if thou wert all my own, and the judge were some wild animal trying
to rend thee from me. I spoke up for thee then; but it's all
forgotten now, I suppose."
"Mother! you know all this while, YOU KNOW I can never forget any
kindness you've ever done for me; and they've been many. Why should
you think I've only room for one love in my heart? I can love you
as dearly as ever, and Mary too, as much as man ever loved woman."
He awaited a reply. None was vouchsafed.
"Mother, answer me!" said he, at last.
"What mun I answer? You asked me no question."
"Well! I ask you this now. To-morrow morning I go to Liverpool to
see her who is as my wife. Dear mother! will you bless me on my
errand? If it please God she recovers, will you take her to you as
you would a daughter?"
She could neither refuse nor assent.
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