. . . that are so cruel. There is little doubt that Sir Thomas is aware of Fanny's shyness and reticence to put herself forward. Though he may not be expected to recognize all of her gifts, these two qualities cannot be overlooked.

Had he urged her gently to reconsider. Had he gently said, "You have sense, we all expect you to use it." :-) Had he spent some time quietly explaining the advantages of this match made in Gehenna: I would find no fault with Sir Thomas other than his being unaware of what only Fanny and the universal narrator know at the point.

However, Sir Thomas is not kind and gentle. He is cold and stern. He uses language I would hesitate to employ when cursing a recalcitrant horse. He stands over a young woman who is weeping, a young woman who has until this point never disappointed him, a young woman who has displayed that she is tractable and biddable save where honor and morality are concerned---he stands over this woman-child and is cruel.

I am sorry. That behavior is nigh unto unforgiveable.