“Did anyone advise you?”
“Oh, no. There wasn’t anything to advise about. One has to think things out for oneself, after all.”
“Oh!” Val was conscious of her own perpetual craving for approval from everyone, for any course that she might adopt.
“Did you ever ask anyone’s advice, Lucilla?”
“I don’t think so. If I did, it would be because I meant to take it, and I can’t imagine wanting to let anyone else decide things for me. Just talking about one’s own affairs isn’t taking advice, though people like to call it so.”
“I think it’s a very good thing you’re not married,” said Val crossly. “You’re too superior.”
“Perhaps that’s why no one has ever asked me,” said Miss Morchard with calm.
Valeria, in spite of her momentary elevation of spirits in resolving never to grieve her father, prepared for the visit to Stear in a discontented frame of mind.
At the last moment Adrian suddenly announced a wish to accompany them.
“My dear! But of course—” The Canon’s pleasure was very evident. “Owen, you will welcome this lad of mine as part of our little excursion, eh? Why not make one of the old-time family parties? Why not let us all go and explore this future home of Owen’s? It’s not very often that I have a free afternoon nowadays—and to have all my dear ones to make holiday with me would be indeed a rare joy.”