‘Oh, I can hardly tell you; but there is a something, a sense of shortcoming in the world generally, an idea that life is not worth living, that amidst all that is most beautiful and sacred and solemn and interesting upon earth, one might just as well be dead; one would be better off than walking about a world in which virtue was never rightly rewarded, truth and honour and courage or lofty thoughts never fairly understood—where everything is at sixes and sevens, in short. I know I express myself horribly, but the feeling is difficult to explain.’ ‘I think what you mean is that Byron, even at his loftiest and best, wrote like a misanthrope.’ ‘I suppose that’s it. Now, Tennyson, though his poetry never lifts me to the skies, makes me feel that earth is a good place and heaven better; that high thoughts and noble deeds bear their fruit somehow, and somewhere; that it is better to suffer a good deal, and sacrifice one’s dearest desires in the cause of duty and right, than to snatch some brief joys out of life, and perish like the insects that are born and die in a day.’ ‘I am so glad you can enjoy good poetry, dear,’ said Madoline, delighted at any surcease of frivolity in her young sister. ‘Enjoy it! I revel in it; it is my delight. Pray don’t suppose that I dislike books, Lina. Only keep away from me grammars, and geographies, and biographies of learned men, and voyages to the North Pole—there is a South Pole, too, isn’t there, dear? though nobody even seems to worry about it—and you may read me as many books as you like.’ ‘How condescending of you, little one!’ said Madoline, smiling at the bright young face looking up from the sofa-pillow, on which Daphne’s golden head reclined in luxurious restfulness. ‘Well, I will read to you with pleasure. It will be my delight to help to carry on your education; for though girls learn an immense number of things at school they don’t seem to know much when they come away. We will read together for a couple of hours a day if you like, dear.’ ‘Till Gerald comes home,’ retorted Daphne; ‘he will not let you give me two hours of your life every day. He will want you all to himself.’ ‘He can join our studies; he is a great reader.’ ‘Expose my ignorance to a future brother-in-law? Not for worlds!’ cried Daphne. ‘Let us talk about him, Lina. Aren’t you delighted to think he is coming home?’ ‘Yes; I am very glad.’ ‘How do my father and Gerald get on together?’ ‘Not too well, I am sorry to say. Papa is fonder of Edgar than of Gerald, you know how prejudiced he is about race and high birth. I don’t think he has ever quite forgiven Gerald his father’s trade.’ ‘But there is Lady Geraldine to fall back upon. Surely she makes amends.’