CHAPTER XIII.
THE FRIEND’S MISSION.
“Oh, let the ungentle spirit learn from hence,
A small unkindness is a great offence!”
Hannah More.
“Don’t talk to me,” cried Mrs. Aumerle, in the tone of decision which to her was habitual; “I say that a young wife does wrong, exceedingly wrong, in leaving the home of her natural protector, and throwing herself back upon her own family, just because she and her husband have chanced to have some unpleasant words together.”
The time was the afternoon of the day following that of Annabella’s unexpected arrival; the scene was the sitting-room at the vicarage; the auditor, Mabel Aumerle.
“Unpleasant words!” repeated Mabel angrily; “why the earl tore her writing to pieces, and ordered her out of the room, before her own servant—only think of that, before her own liveried servant! No woman of spirit could submit to that!”
“Woman of spirit—nonsense!” cried the step-mother, “a woman’s spirit ought to be one of submission.”
“I would have done what she did!” said Mabel.