"I am glad to find that you are not fettered by prejudice, dear Guy; for it is painful to hear the narrow judgments and one-sided views of so many young people who are wholly ignorant of historical and biographical facts, and are carried away with romantic misrepresentations of heroism and honour. As for allowing you to paint, those times were too full of stern realities to admit of much cultivation of the arts; but many a brave Puritan endured portraiture, and we need not forget that the sublimest poet England ever produced was John Milton the Puritan."
[CHAPTER IX.]
A CONSPIRACY.
AMONG Guy's friends at the Moat, none observed him more sympathisingly than its kind mistress. She soon discovered his favourite pursuit and desire, and to promote them in the most effectual way became one of her settled purposes. If Guy must paint, he must do it well, otherwise he must not do it at all—that was decided; and to paint well, he must have all the advantages that could be obtained in furtherance of that object.
She knew that it would not be easy to obtain her husband's sanction of his choice, but he was too sensible and kind, and too anxious to serve Mrs. Falconer, not to yield his best assistance when required.
"Do you know what Guy is going to do in London by himself, Dorothy?" asked the Squire one day.
"Yes, Roger, he is going to study—painting."
"Painting! Oh, we'll soon settle that. Let him paint away here as hard as he likes. Bless me, I'll find him plenty of work without going to London for it."