" Those were the
only words he had spirit enough to utter. He drifted away aimlessly
in the direction of the shrubbery, with the part hanging open in his
hand--the most incapable of Falklands, and the most helpless of mankind.
Frank's departure left the family by themselves, and was the signal
accordingly for an attack on Mr. Vanstone's inveterate carelessness in
the exercise of his paternal authority.
"What could you possibly be thinking of, Andrew, when you gave your
consent?" said Mrs. Vanstone. "Surely my silence was a sufficient
warning to you to say No?"
"A mistake, Mr. Vanstone," chimed in Miss Garth. "Made with the best
intentions--but a mistake for all that."
"It may be a mistake," said Norah, taking her father's part, as usual.
"But I really don't see how papa, or any one else, could have declined,
under the circumstances."
"Quite right, my dear," observed Mr. Vanstone. "The circumstances, as
you say, were dead against me. Here were these unfortunate people in a
scrape on one side; and Magdalen, on the other, mad to act. I couldn't
say I had methodistical objections--I've nothing methodistical about
me. What other excuse could I make? The Marrables are respectable
people, and keep the best company in Clifton.
Pages:
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86