"Can't you see what's going on under your nose, father?" asked Mrs.
Driver.
"What do I care? I shall not interfere."
"Mrs. Purling will never give her consent. Poor Doll!"
"_That_ for Mrs. Purling and her consent!" said Mr. Driver, snapping
his fingers. "Doll is ever so much too good for them--well, not for
him; he is an honest, straightforward fellow: but as for that selfish,
silly, purse-proud old woman, she may thank Heaven if she gains a
daughter like Doll."
That this was not Mrs. Purling's view of the question was plainly
evident from a letter which awoke Harold rather rudely from his rosy
dreams.
"So at length I have found you out, Harold. I never dreamt you could
be so deceitful and double-faced. To talk of clinical lectures in
town, and all the time at Harbridge, philandering with that forward,
intriguing girl! Only with the greatest difficulty have I succeeded in
learning the truth. Phillipa--who, it seems, has known your secret all
along, and to whom, I find, you have constantly written--could not
continue indifferent to my distress of mind. Although she has shielded
you so far with a magnanimity that is truly heroic, she has interposed
at length only to save my life.
"I desire you will come to me at once. Do not disobey me, Harold. I am
very seriously displeased, and will only consent to forgive the past
when I find you ready to bend your stubborn heart to obey my will.
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