Wives and Daughters: An Every-Day Story - Page 318/572

"Oh, I don't think she cares for him very much; she is not one to be

always falling in love, and she does not take things very deeply to

heart. But, of course, one would not do anything abruptly; two years'

absence gives one plenty of time to turn oneself in."

"But a little while ago we were threatened with consumption and an

early death if Cynthia's affections were thwarted."

"Oh, you dear creature, how you remember all my silly words! It might

be, you know. Poor dear Mr. Kirkpatrick was consumptive, and Cynthia

may have inherited it, and a great sorrow might bring out the latent

seeds. At times I am so fearful. But I daresay it is not probable,

for I don't think she takes things very deeply to heart."

"Then I'm quite at liberty to give up the affair, acting as Cynthia's

proxy, if the Squire disapproves of it?"

Poor Mrs. Gibson was in a strait at this question.

"No!" she said at last. "We cannot give it up. I am sure Cynthia

would not; especially if she thought others were acting for her. And

he really is very much in love. I wish he were in Osborne's place."

"Shall I tell you what I should do?" said Mr. Gibson, in real

earnest. "However it may have been brought about, here are two young

people in love with each other. One is as fine a young fellow as ever

breathed; the other a very pretty, lively, agreeable girl. The father

of the young man must be told, and it is most likely he will bluster

and oppose; for there is no doubt it is an imprudent affair as far as

money goes. But let them be steady and patient, and a better lot need

await no young woman. I only wish it were Molly's good fortune to

meet with such another."

"I will try for her; I will indeed," said Mrs. Gibson, relieved by

his change of tone.

"No, don't. That's one thing I forbid. I'll have no 'trying' for

Molly."

"Well, don't be angry, dear! Do you know I was quite afraid you were

going to lose your temper at one time."

"It would have been of no use!" said he, gloomily, getting up as if

to close the sitting. His wife was only too glad to make her escape.

The conjugal interview had not been satisfactory to either. Mr.

Gibson had been compelled to face and acknowledge the fact, that the

wife he had chosen had a very different standard of conduct from

that which he had upheld all his life, and had hoped to have seen

inculcated in his daughter. He was more irritated than he chose to

show; for there was so much of self-reproach in his irritation that

he kept it to himself, brooded over it, and allowed a feeling of

suspicious dissatisfaction with his wife to grow up in his mind,

which extended itself by-and-by to the innocent Cynthia, and

caused his manner to both mother and daughter to assume a certain

curt severity, which took the latter at any rate with extreme

surprise. But on the present occasion he followed his wife up to the

drawing-room, and gravely congratulated the astonished Cynthia.