‘One’s own instinct--’ began Sophy; then breaking off, she added, ‘Mamma, you never were for the bank.’ ‘I used not to see the expediency, and I did not like the parting; but now I understand your father’s wishes, and the sort of allegiance he feels towards India, so that Gilbert’s reluctance will be a great mortification to him.’ ‘So it will,’ said Sophy, mournfully, ‘I am sure it is to me. I always looked forward to Gilbert’s going to Talloon, and seeing the dear old bearer, and taking all my presents there, but you see, of course, mamma, he cannot bear to go--’ ‘Sophy, dear,’ said Albinia, ‘you have been thinking me a very hard-hearted woman this last month. I have been longing to have it out.’ ‘Not hard-hearted,’ said Sophy, looking down, ‘only I had always thought you different from other people.’ ‘And you considered that I was worldly, and not romantic enough. Is that it, Sophy?’ ‘I thought you knew how to value her for herself, so good and so admirable--a lady in everything--with such perfect manners. I thought you would have been pleased and proud that Gilbert’s choice was so much nobler than beauty, or rank, or fashion could make it,’ said Sophy, growing enthusiastic as she went on. ‘Well, my dear, perhaps I am.’ ‘But, mamma, you have done all you could to separate them: you have shut Genevieve up in a convent, and you want to banish him.’ ‘It sounds very grand, and worthy of a cruel step-dame,’ said Albinia; ‘but, my dear, though I do think Genevieve in herself an admirable creature, worthy of any one’s love, what am I to think of the way Gilbert has taken to show his admiration?’ ‘And is it not very hard,’ cried Sophy, ‘that even you, who own all her excellences, should turn against him, and give in to all this miserable conventionality, that wants riches and station, and trumpery worldly things, and crushes down true love in two young hearts?’ ‘Sophy dear, I am afraid the love is not proved to be true in the one heart, and I am sure there is none in the other!’ ‘Mamma! ‘Tis her self-command--’ ‘Nonsense! His attentions are nothing but distress to her! Sensible grown-up young women are not apt to be flattered by importunity from silly boys. Has he told you otherwise?’ ‘He thinks--he hopes, at least--and I am sure--it is all stifled by her sense of duty, and fear of offending you, or appearing mercenary.’ ‘All delusion!’ said Albinia; ‘there’s not a spark of consciousness about her! I see you don’t like to believe it, but it is my great comfort. Think how she would suffer if she did love him! Nay, think, before you are angry with me for not promoting it, how it would bring them into trouble and disgrace with all the world, even if your father consented. Have you once thought how it would appear to him?’ ‘You can persuade papa to anything!’ ‘Sophy! you ought to know your father better than to say that!’ cried Albinia, as if it had been disrespect to him.