“Yes, you have never had confidence in me—never, never! I don’t know why.”
“Oh sister, sister!” murmured Charlotte.
“You have always needed advice,” Mr. Wentworth declared. “You have had a difficult temperament.”
“Why do you call it difficult? It might have been easy, if you had allowed it. You wouldn’t let me be natural. I don’t know what you wanted to make of me. Mr. Brand was the worst.”
Charlotte at last took hold of her sister. She laid her two hands upon Gertrude’s arm. “He cares so much for you,” she almost whispered.
Gertrude looked at her intently an instant; then kissed her. “No, he does not,” she said.
“I have never seen you so passionate,” observed Mr. Wentworth, with an air of indignation mitigated by high principles.
“I am sorry if I offend you,” said Gertrude.
“You offend me, but I don’t think you are sorry.”
“Yes, father, she is sorry,” said Charlotte.