Mrs. Thornton did not choose to yield the point to her son; or else she had, in general, pride enough for her sex.
"Well! I only say, take care. Perhaps our Milton girls have too much spirit and good feeling to go angling after husbands; but this Miss Hale comes out of the aristocratic counties, where, if all tales be true, rich husbands are reckoned prizes."
Mr. Thornton's brow contracted, and he came a step forward into the room.
"Mother" (with a short scornful laugh), "you will make me confess. The only time I saw Miss Hale, she treated me with a haughty civility which had a strong flavour of contempt in it. She held herself aloof from me as if she had been a queen, and I her humble, unwashed vassal. Be easy, mother."

'Well! I only say, take care. Perhaps our Milton girls have too much spirit and good feeling to go angling after husbands; but this Miss Hale comes out of the aristocratic counties, where, if all tales be true, rich husbands are reckoned prizes.'
Mr. Thornton's brow contracted. 'Mother,' (with a short scornful laugh), 'I confess that the only time I saw Miss Hale, she treated me with a haughty civility which had a strong flavour of contempt. She was as aloof as a queen. Be easy, mother.'
