You know that your father is right in what he says."
"That is easily asserted, Violet; but it would, I think, be better
that you should take my part than my father's, if it be that you
intend to be my wife."
"You know that I intend to be your wife; but would you wish that I
should respect my husband?"
"And will you not do so if you marry me?" he asked.
Then Violet looked into his face and saw that the frown was blacker
than ever. The great mark down his forehead was deeper and more
like an ugly wound than she had ever seen it; and his eyes sparkled
with anger; and his face was red as with fiery wrath. If it was so
with him when she was no more than engaged to him, how would it be
when they should be man and wife? At any rate, she would not fear
him,--not now at least. "No, Oswald," she said. "If you resolve upon
being an idle man, I shall not respect you. It is better that I
should tell you the truth."
"A great deal better," he said.
"How can I respect one whose whole life will be,--will be--?"
"Will be what?" he demanded with a loud shout.
"Oswald, you are very rough with me."
"What do you say that my life will be?"
Then she again resolved that she would not fear him. "It will be
discreditable," she said.
"It shall not discredit you," he replied.
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