e, "I will no
longer tolerate that man's impertinence and presumption. He never comes
here that he does not utter insulting words, which no gentleman should
allow in his own house. It is not the first, nor the second, nor the
third time that he has insulted me through my wife. His superior age,
and your profound respect for him, shall no longer prevent the
expression of my indignation. I shall let him know on what terms he ever
again darkens this threshold."

"Ernest!" cried his mother, with a look in which indignation and grief
struggled for mastery, "do you forget that it is your mother whom you
are addressing?--that it is her threshold not yours on which you have
laid this withering ban?"

"Had not Dr. Harlowe been your friend, and this house yours, I should
have told him my sentiments long since; but while I would not forget my
respect as a son, I must remember my dignity as a husband, and I will
allow no man to treat my wife with the familiarity he uses, polluting
her wedded ears with allusions to her despairing lovers, and endeavoring
indirectly to alienate her affections from me."

"Stop, Ernest, you are beside yourself," said Mrs. Linwood, and the
mounting color in her face deepened to crimson,--"you shall not thus
asperse a good and guileless man. Your insane passion drives you from
reason, from honor, and from right. It dwarfs the fair proportions of
your mind, and deforms its moral beauty. I have been wrong, sinful,
weak, in yielding to your infirmity, and trying by every gentle and
persuasive means to lead you into the green pastures and by the still
waters of domestic peace. I have counselled Gabriella, when I have seen
her young heart breaking under the weight of your suspicions, to bow
meekly and let the storm pass over her. But I do so no more. I will tell
her to stand firm and undaunted, and breast the tempest. I will stand by
her side, and support her in my arms, and shield her with my breast.
Come, Gabriella, come, my child; if my son _will_ be unjust, _will_ be
insane, I will at least protect you from the consequences of his guilty
rashness."

I sprang into her arms that opened to enfold me, and hid my face on her
breast. I could not bear to look upon the humiliation of Ernest, who
stood like one transfixed by his mother's rebuking glance. I trembled
like an aspen, there was something so fearful in the roused indignation
of one usually so calm and self-possessed. Edith sunk upon a seat in a
pass