Then tenderly and simply she stated her own and her husband's earnest wish to detain them all, and to consider the Moat House their permanent home, adding many motherly arguments concerning health, moral benefit, and opportunity to cultivate the artistic talent which had already gained notice and approval.
"But, my dear, kind friend," said Mrs. Falconer, "you forget that my children must fight their own way through the world, and wherever I am trying to do so myself is the best scene of example and encouragement for them. Here I am tempted to be again idle and self-indulgent."
"Would you consent to work here, if opportunity could be found, while your son completes his education, and until you know what is to be his future course in life?" asked Mrs. Hazelwood.
"Yes, thankfully, but I saw no way; there was not even a cottage to be had. I could do nothing but go away when our trouble came, and I saw its effect on my boy."
"Then, dear Mrs. Falconer, stay with us, and educate our wild, spoilt Evelyn with your gentle Maude. Let Mr. Herbert take charge of Guy until his health is quite restored; and if you cannot be happy in your own old rooms here, I have no doubt there will be found some pretty cottage on the estate which will suit when required. By-and-by we can think about further advantages for our daughters if desirable, but for the present you are more than qualified to instruct them. Evelyn must have companionship, and I must either seek a governess and a fellow student at home, or send my only child amongst strangers. Will you not help us to a happy alternative, dear friend?"
The pleader could not be resisted long, and the consciousness that at present she was unfit to enter with spirit on the duties of the institution could not but have serious weight in Mrs. Falconer's own judgment. But she would not act without consulting feelings of her children, and to Guy she felt sure the idea would be highly distasteful.
"Mother," said he when she confided to him the plan proposed to her, "have you no feeling against living as a governess where you once lived as mistress and hostess of the house?"
"No feeling against it, Guy; it would be pride, and in this case, I think inexcusable pride. I am conscious that, God helping me, I can be useful to our generous friends, and it will be easier for me to assist your advance in whatever you may desire to do."
"Did you ever feel proud, mother? Do you know anything at all about it?"
"You may as well ask if I am a child of Adam," said his mother. "Pride is as natural to the human heart as any instinct we possess, and the most cruelly tenacious of its grasp; there is but one Power that can subdue it; 'and this is the victory that overcometh even our faith,' for 'whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.' Pride is Satan's and the world's view of things; true humility belongs to another seed, and came from heaven with the Lord Jesus, Who 'took upon Him the form of a servant,' and was content with the station in which He could best do His Father's will."