“Papa would be happier about Norman,” said Ethel; “but I cannot fancy his liking it. And you—you can’t spare Meta, for Aunt Flora must go to the Arnotts’ in a week or two more.”
“Suppose papa was to let me have you,” said Flora. “If he wants you, he must come after you.”
Ethel gasped at the thought that her occupation at home was gone, but she said, “If I am not too awkward for you, dear Flora. You will miss Meta terribly.”
“I can’t keep the humming-bird caged, with her heart far away,” said Flora.
Dr. May came in to break up the conversation, and Ethel quickly guessed from his manner that Norman had been talking to him. Flora told him that she had been agreeing with Ethel that Meta had much better not miss this opportunity. He was far less startled than Ethel had expected; indeed, the proposal was rather a relief to his mind, and his chief objection was the fear that Flora would be fatigued by the extra bustle; but she promised not to trouble herself about it, otherwise than that if Norman could not persuade Meta, she would. The sisters parted, much more comfortable than before. Ethel felt as if she had found something like a dim reflection of Margaret, and Flora’s fear of Ethel had fled away from the mere force of sisterhood.
As to Norman, he declared that he had not the audacity to make the proposal to Meta, though he was only too grateful; so his father carried it to the humming-bird; and, as soon as she found that it was not improper, nor would hurt any one’s feelings, she gave ready consent—only begging that it might be as best suited every one, especially Flora; and ending by a whisper to her dear fatherly friend, owning that she was “very glad—she meant she was very glad there would be nobody there.”
So Norman and Meta settled their plans as they walked home together from evening service, after listening to the prophecies of the blessings to be spread into the waste and desolate places, which should yet become the heritage of the Chosen, and with the evening star shining on them, like a faint reflex of the Star of the East, Who came to be a Light to lighten the Gentiles.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Euna delle facolta singolari ed incommunicabili della religione
Cristiana questa, di poter dare indirizzo e quiete a chiunoque, in
qualsivoglia congiuntura, a qualsivoglia termine, ricorra ad essa.
Se al passato v’e rimedio, essa lo prescrive, lo somministra, presta
lume e vigore per metterlo in opera a qualunque costo; se non v’e,
essa da il, modo di fare realmento e in effeto, cio che 1’ uom dice
in proverbio, della necessita virtu. Insegna a continuare con
sapienza cio che e stato intrapreso per leggerezza, piega l’animo ad
abbracciare con propensione cio che e stato imposto dalla prepotenza,
e da ad un elezione che fu temeraria, ma che e irrevocabile, tutta la
santita, tutto il consiglio, diciamolo pur francamenta, tutte le
gioje della vocazione.—MANZONI.