I would not disobey him now,--not now,--were it ever so.' Then the old man paused as though he were going on with the argument, but finding that he had said all that he had to say, he slowly made his way upstairs.
'Good-night, mamma,' said Hester, returning only to the door of the sitting-room.
'Good-night, my love.' As the words were spoken they both felt that there was something wrong,--much that was wrong.

'I do not think they will do that,' said Hester to herself, as she went up the stairs to her chamber..