These words were spoken frankly and cordially, and there was a note of mundane cheerfulness in the voice which did not quite correspond with the sacerdotal elegance of this young man. Then he added quickly, as if to save himself from asking the reason of this very unexpected visit:
'You'll stay and dine? I'll show you over the college: you have never been here before…. Now I come to reckon it up, I find I have not seen you for nearly five years.'
'It must be very nearly that; I missed you the last time you were at
Thornby Place, and that was three years ago.'
'Three years! It sounds very shocking, doesn't it, to have a beautiful place in Sussex and not to live there?'
The conversation paused a moment, and then John said:
'But you did not travel two hundred miles to see Stanton College. You have, I fear, messages for me from my mother.'
'It is at her request I am here.'
'Quite so. You're here to advise me to return home and accept the marriage state.'
'It is only natural that your mother should wish you to marry.'
'Her determination to get me married is one of the reasons why I am here. My mother will not recognise my right to live my life in my own fashion. When she learns to respect my opinions I will return home. I wish you would impress that upon her. I wish you would try to get her to understand that.'