"That is because they have no perspective in their brains. Rachel
understands me a great deal too well to make me explain what is better
unspoken."
"You know what I think, Alick, that you are the strictest judge that
ever a merry girl had."
"I had rather you continued to think so, uncle; I should like to think
so myself. Good night."
Alick was right, but whether or not Rachel entered into his motives,
she made no objection to his going to the bazaar with his sister, being
absolutely certain that he would not have done so if he could have
helped it.
Nor was her day at all dreary; Mr. Clare was most kind and attentive to
her, without being oppressive, and she knew she was useful to him. She
was indeed so full of admiration and reverence for him, that once
or twice it crossed her whether she were not belying another of her
principles by lapsing into Curatocult, but the idea passed away with
scorn at the notion of comparing Mr. Clare with the objects of such
devotion. He belonged to that generation which gave its choicest in
intellectual, as well as in religious gifts to the ministry, when a
fresh tide of enthusiasm was impelling men forward to build up, instead
of breaking down, before disappointment and suspicion had thinned the
ranks, and hurled back many a recruit, or doctrinal carpings had taught
men to dread a search into their own tenets. He was a highly cultivated,
large-minded man, and the conversation between him and his nephew was a
constant novelty to her, who had always yearned after depth and thought,
and seldom met with them. Still here she was constantly feeling how
shallow were her acquirements, how inaccurate her knowledge, how devoid
of force and solidity her reasonings compared with what here seemed to
be old, well-beaten ground. Nay, the very sparkle of fun and merriment
surprised and puzzled her; and all the courtesy of the one gentleman,
and the affection of the other, could not prevent her sometimes feeling
herself the dullest and most ignorant person present. And yet the sense
was never mortifying except when here and there a spark of the old
conceit had lighted itself, and lured her into pretensions where she
thought herself proficient. She was becoming more and more helpful to
Mr. Clare, and his gratitude for her services made them most agreeable,
nor did that atmosphere of peace and sincerity that reigned round the
Rectory lose its charm. She was really happy all through the solitary
Wednesday, and much more contented with the results than was Alick. "A
sickening place," he said, "I am glad I went."
"How glad Bessie must have been to have you!"
"I believe she was. She has too much good taste for much of what went on
there."