Colonel Egerton laughed pleasantly, but he did not blush; and Miss
Jarvis observed, with a look, of something like admiration thrown on his
reclining figure, "that when Harry had been in the army as long as his
friend, he would know the usages of good society, she hoped, as well."
"Yes," said her mother, "the army is certainly the place to polish a
young man;" and turning to Mrs. Wilson, she abruptly added, "Your
husband, I believe, was in the army, ma'am?"
"I hope," said Emily hastily, "that we shall have the pleasure of seeing
you soon, Miss Jarvis, at the Hall," preventing by her promptitude the
necessity of a reply from her aunt. The young lady promised to make an
early visit, and the subject changed to a general and uninteresting
discourse on the neighborhood, the country, the weather, and other
ordinary topics.
"Now, John," cried Jane in triumph, as they drove from the door, "you
must acknowledge my heraldic witchcraft, as you are pleased to call it,
is right for once at least."
"Oh! no doubt, Jenny," said John, who was accustomed to use that
appellation to her as a provocation, when he wished what he called an
enlivening scene; but Mrs. Wilson put a damper on his hopes by a remark
to his mother, and the habitual respect of both the combatants kept them
silent.
Jane Moseley was endowed by nature with an excellent understanding, one
at least equal to that of her brother, but the wanted the more essential
requisites of a well governed mind. Masters had been provided by Sir
Edward for all his daughters, and if they were not acquainted with the
usual acquirements of young women in their rank of life, it was not his
fault: his system of economy had not embraced a denial of opportunity to
any of his children, and the baronet was apt to think all was done, when
they were put where all might be done. Feeling herself and parents
entitled to enter into all the gaieties and splendors of some of the
richer families in their vicinity, Jane, who had grown up during the
temporary eclipse of Sir Edward's fortunes, had sought that self-
consolation so common to people in her situation, which was to be found
in reviewing the former grandeur of her house, and she had thus
contracted a degree of family pride. If Clara's weaknesses were less
striking than those of Jane, it was because she had less imagination,
and because that in loving Francis Ives she had so long admired a
character, where so little was to be found that could be censured, that
she might be said to have contracted a habit of judging correctly,
without being able at all times to give a reason for her conduct or her
opinions.
Chapter III.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account