Your sister chose a husband for herself, and how has she fared?
is she happy ?" "Annie cannot be happy, father, even if her husband were of a very different character.

She disobeyed; a parent's blessing hallowed not her nuptials, and strange indeed would it be were her lot otherwise; but though I cannot love the husband of your choice, you may trust me, father, without your consent and blessing, I will never marry." "Do not say you _cannot_ love Philip Clapperton, Lilla; when once his wife, you could not fail to do so.

I would see you united to one who loves you, my child, ere your affections are bestowed on another, who may be less willing to return them." Grahame spoke in a tone of such unwonted softness, that the tears now rolled unchecked down Lilla's cheeks.

Her ingenuous nature could not be restrained; she felt as if, were she still silent, she would be deceiving him, and hiding her face in her hand, she almost inaudibly said-- "For that, then, it is too late, father; I cannot love Mr.Clapperton, because--because I love another." "Ha!" exclaimed Grahame, starting, then laying his trembling hand on Lilla's head, he continued, struggling with strong emotion, "this, then, is the cause of your determined refusal.

Poor child, poor child, what misery have you formed for yourself!" "And wherefore misery, my father ?" replied Lilla, raising her head somewhat proudly, and speaking as firmly as her tears would permit.
"Your child would not have loved had she not deemed her affections sought, ay, and valued too.