'I have heard of people who had that happiness two or three times,' the lady said demurely. 'Is there, then, no happiness short of being married?'
'Oh, Miss Fairbairn! you know I do not mean that, but all the things you read to us of: the diamonds, and the beautiful dresses, and the lace, and the presents; and then the travelling, and doing whatever she liked.'
'Very few people do whatever they like,' murmured Miss Fairbairn.
'I mean all that. And that does not last—only for a while. The diamonds last, of course'—
'But the pleasure of wearing them might not. True. Quite right, Miss Lawton. But I come back to my question. Is there no happiness on earth that lasts?'
There was silence.
'We are in a bad way, if that is our case. Miss Gainsborough, what do you say? I come back to you again. Is there any such thing on earth as happiness, according to your terms?—something that lasts?'
Esther was in doubt again how to answer.
'I think there is, ma'am,' she said, with a look up at her questioner.
'Pray what is it?'