remission of consequences. One must have something of the spirit of
the fifty-first Psalm before that perception comes. Poor dear
child, how one longs for power to breathe into her some such
penitence!
Avice is quite knocked up to-day, and her mother has kept her in
bed, where she is very happy with her Jane. I have been to see her,
and she has been thanking me for having suggested the making way for
fresh comers in a pew. Otherwise, she says, she could not have
withstood the rush.
SIR EDWARD FULFORD TO MISS FULFORD
22D JULY.
My Dear Charlotte,--I decidedly object to the company of a young
lady with such a genius for intrigue as Isabel Fulford seems to
possess. If we had only ourselves to consider, no doubt it would be
well for you to take her in hand, but in the sort of house ours will
be, there must be no one we cannot depend upon in our own family.
I suppose I am guilty of having betrayed my thoughts to Edith. I
had certainly wished for Metelill. She is an engaging creature, and
I am sorry you take so adverse a view of her demeanour; but I
promised to abide by your judgment and I will not question it. We
will ask Arthur and Edith to bring her to visit us, and then perhaps
you may be better satisfied with her.
The learned young lady is out of the question, and as Avice is my
dear wife's godchild as well as mine, I am very glad she has
deserved that your choice should fall upon her. It seems as if you
would find in her just the companionship you wish, and if her health
needs the southern climate, it is well to give her the opportunity.
You had better propose the scheme at once, and provide what she will
need for an outfit. The last touches might be given at Paris. I
hope to get time to run down to New Cove next week, and if you and
the niece can be ready to start by the middle of August, we will
take Switzerland by the way, and arrive at Malta by the end of
September.
I shall be curious to hear the result of your throwing the
handkerchief.--Your affectionate brother,
E. F.
MISS FULFORD TO SIR EDWARD FULFORD
JULY 24.--I threw the handkerchief by asking Martyn and Mary to
spare their daughter. Tears came into Mary's eyes, the first I ever
saw there, and she tried in vain to say something ridiculous.
Martyn walked to the window and said huskily, "Dr. A--- said it
would confirm her health to spend a few winters in the South. Thank
you, Charlotte!" They did not doubt a moment, but Martyn feels the
parting more than I ever thought he would, and Pica and Uchtred go
about howling and bewailing, and declaring that they never shall
know where to find anything again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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