She would have gone
away with Madison as his cousin, and wifehood would have come
naturally later. We have been too hasty, too arbitrary. You both
must recognize the truth that you cannot treat her as a child any
longer or you will lose her altogether, for in this matter of
marriage she has been made to know that she is not a child. She can
be led into it now, but not forced into it. Her course is open now,
but if you continue arbitrary her action may become clandestine and
even reckless. Then in regard to this Yankee officer. Alas I what he
says is too true. In our strong feeling we shut our eyes to facts.
Are we not in his power? He has spared my son's life and your
property and home, and yet he has been virtually ordered out of the
house. There is truth in what Louise said. We are not in the deepest
stress of trouble--infinitely removed from the trouble we might be
in."
"He has not spared my property," growled Mr. Baron, "he has told all
my people they are free. Where does that leave me?"
"Now, brother, your very words prove how essential it is that you
regain your self-control and reason.
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