In the old mother of _Fanny_ the author has succeeded in giving a most splendid characterization of the born drudge, hardened by her long struggle with poverty, and grown shrewd in the ways of the world. She knows her daughter so little, however, that she believes _Fanny_ had schemed the affair with _Alan_ in the hope that she might force him to marry her. In her imagination the old woman already sees _Fanny_ as the mistress of the Jeffcote estate. She persuades her husband to go immediately to the _Jeffcotes_, and though it is very late at night, the old man is forced to start out on his disagreeable errand. _Jeffcote_, a man of integrity, is much shocked at the news brought to him by old _Hawthorne_. Nevertheless he will not countenance the wrong. _Jeffcote._ I'll see you're treated right. Do you hear? _Christopher._ I can't ask for more than that. _Jeffcote._ I'll see you're treated right. Young _Alan_ had never known responsibility. Why should he, with so much wealth awaiting him? When confronted by his father and told that he must marry _Fanny_, he fights hard against it. It may be said, in justice to _Alan_, that he really loves his betrothed, _Beatrice_, though such a circumstance has never deterred the Alans from having a lark with another girl. The young man resents his father's command to marry the mill girl. But when even _Beatrice_ insists that he belongs to _Fanny_, _Alan_ unwillingly consents. _Beatrice_, a devout Christian, believes in renunciation. _Beatrice._ I do need you, Alan. So much that nothing on earth could make me break off our engagement, if I felt that it was at all possible to let it go on. But it isn't. It's impossible. _Alan._ And you want me to marry Fanny? _Beatrice._ Yes. Oh, Alan! can't you see what a splendid sacrifice you have it in your power to make? Not only to do the right thing, but to give up so much in order to do it. The _Jeffcotes_ and the _Hawthornes_ gather to arrange the marriage of their children. It does not occur to them to consult _Fanny_ in the matter. Much to their consternation, _Fanny_ refuses to abide by the decision of the family council. _Fanny._ It's very good of you. You'll hire the parson and get the license and make all the arrangements on your own without consulting me, and I shall have nothing to do save turn up meek as a lamb at the church or registry office or whatever it is.... That's just where you make the mistake. I don't want to marry Alan.... I mean what I say, and I'll trouble you to talk to me without swearing at me. I'm not one of the family yet. The dismayed parents, and even _Alan_, plead with her and threaten. But _Fanny_ is obdurate. At last _Alan_ asks to be left alone with her, confident that he can persuade the girl. _Alan._ Look here, Fanny, what's all this nonsense about?... Why won't you marry me?