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differences between us—and damn it； that’s important—I couldn’t
afford a match of this description。 Ned and I couldn’t do it。 It’s
impossible。’
‘Curb your tongue； in God’s name； if this conversation is to last；’
retorted Mr Haredale fiercely。 ‘I have said I love my niece。 Do you
think that； loving her； I would have her fling her heart away on
any man who had your blood in his veins？’
‘You see；’ said the other； not at all disturbed； ‘the advantage of
being so frank and open。 Just what I was about to add； upon my
honour！ I am amazingly attached to Ned—quite doat upon him；
indeed—and even if we could afford to throw ourselves away； that
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very objection would be quite insuperable。—I wish you’d take
some wine？’
‘Mark me；’ said Mr Haredale； striding to the table； and laying
his hand upon it heavily。 ‘If any man believes—presumes to
think—that I； in word or deed； or in the wildest dream； ever
entertained remotely the idea of Emma Haredale’s favouring the
suit of any one who was akin to you—in any way—I care not
what—he lies。 He lies； and does me grievous wrong； in the mere
thought。’
‘Haredale；’ returned the other； rocking himself to and fro as in
assent； and nodding at the fire； ‘it’s extremely manly； and really
very generous in you； to meet me in this unreserved and
handsome way。 Upon my word； those are exactly my sentiments；
only expressed with much more force and power than I could
use—you know my sluggish nature； and will forgive me； I am
sure。’
‘While I would restrain her from all correspondence with your
son； and sever their intercourse here； though it should cause her
death；’ said Mr Haredale； who had been pacing to and fro； ‘I would
do it kindly and tenderly if I can。 I have a trust to discharge； which
my nature is not formed to understand； and； for this reason； the
bare fact of there being any love between them comes upon me to…
night； almost for the first time。’
‘I am more delighted than I can possibly tell you；’ rejoined Mr
Chester with the utmost blandness； ‘to find my own impression so
confirmed。 You see the advantage of our having met。 We
understand each other。 We quite agree。 We have a most complete
and thorough explanation； and we know what course to take。—
Why don’t you taste your tenant’s wine？ It’s really very good。’
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‘Pray who；’ said Mr Haredale； ‘have aided Emma； or your son？
Who are their go…betweens； and agents—do you know？’
‘All the good people hereabouts—the neighbourhood in
general； I think；’ returned the other； with his most affable smile。
‘The messenger I sent to you to…day； foremost among them all。’
‘The idiot？ Barnaby？’
‘You are surprised？ I am glad of that； for I was rather so myself。
Yes。 I wrung that from his mother—a very decent sort of woman—
from whom； indeed； I chiefly learnt how serious the matter had
become； and so determined to ride out here to…day； and hold a
parley with you on this neutral ground。—You’re stouter than you
used to be； Haredale； but you look extremely well。’
‘Our business； I presume； is nearly at an end；’ said Mr
Haredale； with an expression of impatience he was at no pains to
conceal。 ‘Trust me； Mr Chester； my niece shall change from this
time。 I will appeal；’ he added in a lower tone； ‘to her woman’s
heart； her dignity； her pride； her duty—’
‘I shall do the same by Ned；’ said Mr Chester； restoring some
errant faggots to their places in the grate with the toe of his boot。
‘If there is anything real in this world； it is those amazingly fine
feelings and those natural obligations which must subsist between
father and son。 I shall put it to him on every ground of moral and
religious feeling。 I shall represent to him that we cannot possibly
afford it—that I have always looked forward to his marrying well；
for a genteel provision for myself in the autumn of life—that there
are a great many clamorous dogs to pay； whose claims are
perfectly just and right； and who must be paid out of his wife’s
fortune。 In short； that the very highest and most honourable
feelings of our nature； with every consideration of filial duty and
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affection； and all that sort of thing； imperatively demand that he
should run away with an heiress。’
‘And break her heart as speedily as possible？’ said Mr
Haredale； drawing on his glove。
‘There Ned will act exactly as he pleases；’ returned the other；
sipping his wine； ‘that’s entirely his affair。 I wouldn’t for the world
interfere with my son； Haredale； beyond a certain point。 The
relationship between father and son； you know； is positively quite
a holy kind of bond。—Won’t you let me persuade you to take one
glass of wine？ Well！ as you please； as you please；’ he added；
helping himself again。
‘Chester；’ said Mr Haredale； after a short silence； during which
he had eyed his smiling face from time to time intently； ‘you have
the head and heart of an evil spirit in all matters of deception。’
‘Your health！’ said the other； with a nod。 ‘But I have interrupted
you—’
‘If now；’ pursued Mr Haredale； ‘we should find it difficult to
separate these young people； and break off their intercourse—if；
for instance； you find it difficult on your side； what course do you
intend to take？’
‘Nothing plainer； my good fellow； nothing easier；’ returned the
other； shrugging his shoulders and stretching himself more
comfortably before the fire。 ‘I s