"Why, true, Ralph, such is your name indeed; and your reference to this
subject now, only reminds me of the too free use which my brother made
of it when he bestowed it upon a woman so far beneath him and his family
in all possible respects."
"There again, sir, there again! It is my mother's poverty that pains
you. She brought my father no dowry. He had nothing of that choice
prudence which seems to have been the guide of others, of our family in
the bestowment of their affections. He did not calculate the value of
his wife's income before he suffered himself to become enamored of her.
I see it, sir--I am not ignorant."
"If I speak with you calmly, Ralph, it is because you are the indweller
of my house, and because I have a pledge to my brother in your behalf."
"Speak freely, sir; let not this scruple trouble you any longer. It
shall not trouble me; and I shall be careful to take early occasion to
release you most effectually from all such pledges."
Colonel Colleton proceeded as if the last speech had not been uttered.
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