‘Then I am forgiven, am I? And I may ask after you after this long solitary winter. We thought a great deal of you.’
‘I needed no pity, thank you. I was well off with my chemistry and the parish matters. I liked the quiet time.’
‘I know you do not care for society.’
‘My aunt is a very amusing companion. Her clear, shrewd observation is like a book of French memoirs.’
‘And you are one of the few not afraid of her.’
‘No. We understand each other, and it is better for all parties that she should know I am not to be interfered with. Positively I think she has been fonder of me since we measured our strength.’
‘There is a mutual attachment in determined spirits,’ said Miss Gardner.
‘I think there must be. I fancy it is resolution that enables me to go further with her than any one else can without offending her.’
‘She is so proud of you.’
‘What is strange is, that she is prouder of me than of mamma, who is so much handsomer and more accomplished,—more tractable, too, and making a figure and sensation that I never shall.’