‘No, though I did the best I could. I told her what a jolly place it was, and that the children would be a perfect holiday to her. And I showed her it would not be like going away, for she might come over here whenever she pleased; and when I have my horse, I would come and bring her word of the old ladies once a week.’
‘Inducements, indeed!’ said Mr. Ferrars. ‘And she could not be incited by any of these?’
‘No,’ said Gilbert, ‘she would not hear of leaving the old women. She was only afraid it would vex Mrs. Kendal, and she could not bear not to take the advice of so kind a friend, she said. You are not going to be angry with her,’ he added.
‘No,’ said Albinia, ‘one cannot but honour her motives, though I think she is mistaken; and I am sorry for her; but she knows better than to be afraid of me.’
With which assurance Gilbert quitted the room, and the next moment, hearing the front door, she exclaimed, ‘I do believe he is gone to tell her how I took the announcement.’
Maurice gave a significant ‘Hem!’ to which his sister replied, ‘Nonsense!’
‘Very romantic consolations and confidences.’
‘Not at all. They have been used to each other all their lives, and he used to be the only person who knew how to behave to her, so no wonder they are great friends. As to anything else, she is nineteen, and he not sixteen.’
‘One great use of going to school is to save lads from that silly pastime. I advise you to look to these moonlight escortings!’
‘One would think you were an old dowager, Maurice. I suppose Colonel Bury may not escort Miss Mary.’