"
"Unfatherly tyranny, that means," said Rosa. "What business have
gentlemen interfering in such things? It is unheard of. I will not
submit to it, even from papa."
"Well, you need not scream at me," said Mr. Lusignan; and he shrugged
his shoulders to Staines. "She is impracticable, you see. If I do my
duty, there will be a disturbance."
Now this roused the bile of Dr. Staines. "What, sir!" said he, "you
could separate her and me by your authority, here in this very room; and
yet, when her life is at stake, you abdicate! You could part her from a
man who loved her with every drop of his heart,--and she said she loved
him, or, at all events, preferred him to others,--and you cannot part
her from a miserable corset, although you see in her poor wasted face
that it is carrying her to the churchyard. In that case, sir, there is
but one thing for you to do,--withdraw your opposition and let me
marry her. As her lover I am powerless; but invest me with a husband's
authority, and you will soon see the roses return to her cheek, and
her elastic figure expanding, and her eye beaming with health and the
happiness that comes of perfect health."
Mr. Lusignan made an answer neither of his hearers expected.
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