“There is, besides, in the temper of Miss Fenton, a sedateness that might with less hazard ensure her safety in an unmarried life; and yet she very properly thinks it her duty, as she does not mean to seclude herself by any vows to the contrary, to become a wife—and in obedience to the counsel of her friends, will be married within a very few weeks.”
“Miss Fenton may marry from obedience, I never will.”
“You mean to say, that love shall alone induce you.”
“I do.”
“If you would point out a subject upon which I am the least able to reason, and on which my sentiments, such as they are, are formed only from theory, (and even there, more cautioned than instructed) it is the subject of love. And yet, even that little which I know, tells me, without a doubt, that what you said yesterday, pleading for Lord Frederick’s life, was the result of the most violent and tender love.”
“The little you know then, Mr. Dorriforth, has deceived you; had you known more, you would have judged otherwise.”
“I submit to the merit of your reply; but without allowing me a judge at all, I will appeal to those who were present with me.”
“Are Mrs. Horton and Mr. Sandford to be the connoisseurs?”
“No; I’ll appeal to Miss Fenton and Miss Woodley.”
“And yet, I believe,” replied she with a smile, “I believe theory must only be the judge even there.”