"And if you have in a measure made up your mind," continued her sister, "she will be better pleased, I am sure; she will wish in some sort to be guided by your wishes."
"That is just what I am anxious to avoid," he answered impatiently. "I do not desire to influence her in any way; I would not for the world that she should make any sacrifice on my account, and then be miserable for ever after."
"My dear Horace, you do not suppose Maria——"
"My dear Georgie, I know what Maria is, and you must allow me to take my own way."
He began to stride up and down the room with his hands in his pockets, Madelon watching him in silence. Presently he began again:—
"I know what Molly is; if she imagined that I wanted to go to this place, she would say 'Go,' without thinking of herself for a moment; but ten to one, when we got there, she would be for ever regretting England, and hating the society, and the mode of life, and everything, and everybody; and it would be very natural—she has never been abroad, and knows nothing of foreign life and manners."
"Then you do not mean to go?" said Mrs. Vavasour.
"I have not said so," he answered—"I shall put the matter calmly before Maria; tell her what I think are the reasons for and against, and leave her to decide. I suppose she cannot complain of that."
"I do not imagine for a moment she will complain," replied Mrs. Vavasour; "but I think she will want your judgment to help her."
He only muttered something in answer to this; and Madelon asked in a low voice, "Is it about going abroad that Monsieur Horace is doubting?"