"I wanted to hear how you managed Miss Bennett, you wise woman. Is it a lover?" "I fear so, and not a creditable one. But I am certain of one thing. She does not love him--she only wants to marry him." "A distinction with a difference," said Dr. Grey, smiling. "And you don't agree with her, my dear?" "I should think not!" Again Dr. Grey smiled. "How fiercely she speaks! What a tiger this little woman of mine could be if she chose. And so she absolutely believes in the old superstition that love is an essential element of matrimony." "You are laughing at me." "No, my darling, God forbid. I am only--happy." "Are you really, really happy? Do you think I can make you so--I, with all my unworthiness?" "I am sure of it." She looked up in his face from out of his close arms, and they talked no more. Chapter 10. _"Get thee behind me, Satan! I know no other word: There is a battle that must be fought, And fought but with the sword-- _"The clear, sharp, stainless, glittering sword Of purity divine: I'll hew my way through a host of fiends, If that strong sword be mine."_ "I wish Mrs. Grey, you would learn to hold yourself a little more upright, and look a little more like the master's wife--a lady in as good a position as any in Avonsbridge--and a little less like a Resignation or a Patience on a monument." "I am sure I beg your pardon," said Christian, laughing "I have not the slightest feeling either of resignation or patience. I am afraid I was thinking over something much more worldly--that plan about Miss Bennett's new situation of which I have just been telling you"--told as briefly as she could, for it was not very safe to trust Miss Gascoigne with any thing. "Also of the people we met last night at the vice chancellor's." "And that reminds me--why don't you go and change your dress? I hate a morning-gown, as I wish you particularly to look as respectable as you can. We are sure to have callers to-day." "Are we? Why?" "To inquire for our health after last night's entertainment. It is a customary attention; but, of course, you can not be expected to be acquainted with these sort of things. Besides, one gentleman especially asked my permission to call today--a man of position and wealth, whose acquaintance--" "Oh, please tell me about him after I come back," said Christian, hopelessly, "and I will go and dress at once." "Take that boy with you. He never was allowed to be in the drawing-room. Get up, Arthur," in the sharp tone in which the most trivial commands were always conveyed to the children, which, no doubt, Miss Gascoigne thought--as many well-meaning parents and guardians do think--is the best and safest assertion of authority. But it had made of Letitia a cringing slave, and of Arthur a confirmed rebel, as he now showed himself to be. "I won't go, Aunt Henrietta! I like this sofa. I'll not stir an inch!" "I command you! Obey me, sir!"