‘I will see what your sister says.’
‘I am obstinate. I shall go, whether she says yes or no.’
‘To-morrow is Sunday,’ said Jasper, ‘when no theatre is open.’
‘Besides,’ added Eve, ‘there is poor Martin’s duck and green peas to-morrow.’
‘And crusted port. If we go, it must be Monday.’
[CHAPTER XLVI.]
‘PRECIOSA.’
Eve had lost something of her light-heartedness; in spite of herself she was made to think, and grave alternatives were forced upon her for decision. The careless girl was dragged in opposite directions by two men, equally selfish and conceited, the one prosaic and clever, the other æsthetic but ungifted; each actuated by the coarsest self-seeking, neither regarding the happiness of the child. Martin had a passionate fancy for her, and had formed some fantastic scheme of turning her into a singer and an actress; and Mr. Coyshe thought of pushing his way in town by the aid of her money.