"Her character! Mother, you do not dare--" he faced about, and looked into her face with his flaming eyes. Then, drawing himself up into determined composure and dignity, he said, "I will not say any more than this, which is neither more nor less than the simple truth, and I am sure you believe me,--I have good reason to believe, that Miss Hale is in some strait and difficulty connected with an attachment which, of itself, from my knowledge of Miss Hale's character, is perfectly innocent and right. What my reason is, I refuse to tell. But never let me hear any one say a word against her, implying any more serious imputation than that she now needs the counsel of some kind and gentle woman. You promised Mrs. Hale to be that woman!"

'Her character! Mother, you do not dare-' He looked her in the face with flaming eyes. Then, drawing himself up with determined composure, he said, 'I will not say any more than this: that I have good reason to believe that Miss Hale is in some difficulty connected with an attachment which of itself, from my knowledge of Miss Hale's character, is perfectly innocent and right. I refuse to tell my reason. But never let me hear anyone say a word against her, implying anything more serious than that she now needs the counsel of some kind and gentle woman. You promised Mrs. Hale to be that woman!'
