But Rowland swallowed all
hilarity and all sarcasm, and let himself seriously consider Mrs.
Hudson's petition. His wits, however, were but indifferently at his
command; they were dulled by his sense of the inexpressible change in
Mrs. Hudson's attitude. Her visit was evidently intended as a formal
reminder of the responsiblities Rowland had worn so lightly. Mrs. Hudson
was doubtless too sincerely humble a person to suppose that if he had
been recreant to his vows of vigilance and tenderness, her still, small
presence would operate as a chastisement. But by some diminutive logical
process of her own she had convinced herself that she had been weakly
trustful, and that she had suffered Rowland to think too meanly, not
only of her understanding, but of her social consequence. A visit in
her best gown would have an admonitory effect as regards both of these
attributes; it would cancel some favors received, and show him that she
was no such fool! These were the reflections of a very shy woman,
who, determining for once in her life to hold up her head, was perhaps
carrying it a trifle extravagantly.
Pages:
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532