“You know what I think about that. When my Esther ventures to judge for herself, these prejudices will give way. She shall not be disobedient, but you will all perceive the uselessness of withholding my darling. Meanwhile, I only ask you to let me see her name from time to time. You won’t deny me that?”
“No, my dear, I cannot refuse you that, but you must not assume more than that I am sorry for you that your heart is set so hopelessly. Indeed, I see no sign of her caring for you. Do you?”
“Her heart is not opened yet, but it will.”
“Suppose it should do so to any one else?”
“She is a mere child; she has few opportunities; and if she had—well, I think it would recall to her what she only half understood. I am content to be patient—and, mother, you little know the good it does me to think of her and think of you. It is well for us men that all women are not like Janet.”
“Yet if you took away our faith, what would there be to hinder us from being like my poor Janet?”
“Heaven forbid that I should take away any one’s honest faith; above all, yours or Essie’s.”
“Except by showing that you think it just good enough for us.”
“How can I help it, any more than I can help that Belforest was left to Elvira? Wishes and belief are two different things.”
“Would you help it if you could?” she earnestly asked.