"How could I, uncle, when you have already done so much for me? You are too good, indeed!"
"Nonsense, child! I only want to see you happy. Of course you shall have lessons, if you wish for them."
"Oh, uncle, you cannot think how happy you make me! You don't know how I have longed for lessons!"
"Then you shall certainly have your heart's desire, though that does not invariably bring happiness. All, that reminds me of a sermon I once heard Mr. Mainprice preach about the heart's desire. It was very good. I wish you could have heard it."
"Don't wish that," said Juliet; "I do not like Mr. Mainprice, and I probably should not have liked his sermon."
"Not like Mr. Mainprice!" exclaimed her uncle, in astonishment. "You surprise me, Juliet. Why, he is one of the best men I know. Indeed, I do not know another young man like him—so good and earnest and strong in every way."
"He may be all that," said Juliet; "but I do not like good young men."
Yet it was not true that she disliked Mr. Mainprice, as in her perversity she chose to declare. Her real feeling for him was far removed from dislike, but she disliked to recall certain words she had heard him utter; she wished to avoid thinking of the man whose rare personality had so impressed her that the very thought of him had the force of a condemnation.
Her uncle looked at her in amazement for a moment; then he leaned back in his chair smiling, as one smiles at the quaint sayings of a child.
"You say that because you know so little about them, Juliet," he remarked.