"A religious life! What sort of a life is that?"
"It is what you do not like—nor he."
"A religious life! Eleanor, you do not suppose Mr. Carlisle would wish his wife to lead an irreligious life?"
"Yes—I do."
"I should not like you to tell him that," said Mrs. Powle colouring with anger. "How dare you say it? What sort of a religious life do you want to live?"
"Such a one as the Bible bids, mamma," Eleanor said in a low voice and drooping her head. "Such a one as the Prayer Book recommends, over and over."
"And you think Mr. Carlisle would not like that? What insinuations you are making against us all, Eleanor. For of course, I, your mother, have wished you also to live this irreligious life. We are a set of heathens together. Dr. Cairnes too. He was delighted with it."
"It changes nothing, mamma," said Eleanor. "I am resolved to live in a different way; and Mr. Carlisle would not like it; and if he only knew it, he would not wish to marry me; and I cannot make him believe it."
"You have tried, have you?"
"Yes, I have tried. It was only honest."