‘He insulted you,’ said Phœbe. ‘When I think of those words I don’t know how I can stay with him.’
‘They fell short! They were nothing,’ said Robert. ‘But it was the more unbefitting in me to frame my warning as I did. Oh, Phœbe, your prayers and influence have done much for me. Help me now to treat my brother so as not to disgrace my calling.’
‘You—when you freely forgive all the injuries he has done you!’
‘If I freely forgave, I suppose I should love;’ and he murmured sadly, ‘He that hateth his brother is a murderer.’
Phœbe shrank, but could not help thinking that if the spirit of Cain existed among them, it was not with the younger brother.
When she next spoke, it was to express her fear lest Miss Fennimore should refuse to remain, since the position would be uncomfortable. Her talent was thrown away on poor Maria, and Bertha had been very vexing and provoking of late. Phœbe greatly dreaded a change, both from her love for her governess, and alarm lest a new duenna might be yet more unwelcome to Mervyn, and she was disappointed to see that Robert caught at the hope that the whole scheme might be baffled on this score.
Phœbe thought a repetition of the dinner-table offence would be best obviated by taking her place as tea-maker at once. Mervyn first came down, and greeted her like something especially his own. He detected the red blistered spot on her cheek, and exclaimed, ‘Eh! did they make you cry? Never mind; the house will soon be clear of them, and you my little queen. You have nothing to say against it. Has any one been putting things in your head?’ and he looked fiercely at his brother.
‘No, Mervyn; Robert and I both think you very kind, and that it is the right thing.’
‘Yes,’ said Robert, ‘no arrangement could be more proper. I am sorry, Mervyn, if my manner was offensive last night.’
‘I never take offence, it is not my way,’ said Mervyn, indifferently, almost annoyed that his brother had not spirit to persevere in the quarrel.