“By Heaven, I wish I had never promised to marry the girl! I wish I could get honorably free of her claim, for my son is dearer to me than Rosalind can ever be, and I detest the thought that she is to stand forever between Charley’s heart and mine!” the senator stormed, in sudden desperation, outraged by their heartlessness. Marie and Lucile listened in the greatest wonder, and they cried out simultaneously: “We thought you loved Rosalind better than any of us!” In his anger he replied truthfully: “I have never pretended to love her, and I regret now I ever made the rash promise to marry her, for very likely she only desires it to get revenge on Charley and Berenice for their fault against her, which was not so dreadful, after all, for my son swears he confessed all to Rosalind first and asked release from his engagement to her, although afterward she denied it to us, and we rashly took her word against Charley’s. When I look back I remember that Rosalind really courted me first instead of my courting her, and through an old man’s flattered vanity and the wish to atone for Charley’s fault, I promised to make her my bride. But now I swear I am sorry for it, and wish I could retreat in honor, for I shrink from putting another in the place of your dead mother, my beloved wife; and, besides, I do not believe in the union of May and December.” “But, papa, you cannot retreat from your bond. It would be unfair to Rosalind; it would be worse than Charley, for the wedding day is barely a month off,” they reminded him. “No, I cannot retreat in honor. I must marry Rosalind and make the most of my life,” he replied bitterly, adding: “Fortunately my private business and affairs of state engross most of my time, and as for her, I suppose she will be happy enough spending my money and flirting with younger men.” “Oh, papa!” cried Lucile reproachfully. “For shame, papa!” cried Marie indignantly. But in their hearts they both knew he spoke truly. Rosalind was extravagant to a fault, and a bold coquette--they could not deny either charge. But Rosalind had been their schoolmate and chum; she was in their set, she was handsome in her way, and they would not be ashamed of her, as they must be of poor little Berenice, the lowly born bride of their only brother. So they held out for Rosalind, declaring it was only loyal to do so, and beseeching their father not to jilt her as Charley had done. He, on his part, promised faithfulness, and the interview ended, much to the relief of all parties, having been productive of no good on either side. The young wives, having told everything to their proud and exceptionable husbands, were consoled and sympathized with, and told that they had acted right.