I will have no difference made, Ellen, either by them or by
you. Now lift up your head and listen to me," said he, taking
both her hands. "I lay my commands upon you, whenever the like
questions may be asked again, that you answer simply according
to what I have told you, without any explanation or addition.
It is true, and if people draw conclusions that are not true,
it is what I wish. Do you understand me?"
Ellen bowed.
"Will you obey me?"
She answered again in the same mute way.
He ceased to hold her at arms length, and sitting down in her
chair drew her close to him, saying more kindly —
"You must not displease me, Ellen."
"I had no thought of displeasing you, Sir," said Ellen,
bursting into tears; "and I was very sorry for it last night.
I did not mean to disobey you; I only hesitated."
"Hesitate no more. My commands may serve to remove the cause
of it. You are my daughter, Ellen, and I am your father. Poor
child," said he, for Ellen was violently agitated; "I don't
believe I shall have much difficulty with you."
"If you will only not speak and look at me so," said Ellen;
"it makes me very unhappy."
"Hush!" said he, kissing her; "do not give me occasion."
"I did not give you occasion, Sir?"
"Why, Ellen!" said Mr. Lindsay, half-displeased again, "I
shall begin to think your aunt Keith is right, that you are a
true Lindsay.
Pages:
860
861
862
863
864
865
866
867
868
869
870
871
872
873
874
875
876
877
878
879
880
881
882
883
884