I was not sure how far she did believe my assurances, or thought me
deceived, when I strenuously denied all evil intent from Harold
towards his poor wife, and explained that he had merely driven over a
precipice in the dark, and had a brain fever afterwards; all I could
see was that, though not perfectly satisfied or convinced, she found
that her brother would not allow the separation to be kept up, and
therefore she resumed her favourite office of adviser. She examined
me on the religious habits of my nephews and niece, impressing on me
that it was for the sake of the latter that my presence at Arghouse
was excusable; but insisting that it was incumbent on me to provide
her with an elderly governess, both for her sake and my own. I was
much afraid of having the governess at once thrust upon me; but,
luckily, she did not happen to have one of a chaperon kind of age on
her list, so she contented herself with much advice on what I was
teaching Dora, so that perhaps I grew restive and was disposed to
think it no concern of hers, nor did I tell her that much of the
direction of Dora's lessons was with a view to Harold; but she could
not have been wholly displeased, since she ended by telling me that
mine was a vast opportunity, and that the propriety of my residence
at Arghouse entirely depended on the influence I exerted, since any
acquiescence in lax and irreligious habits would render my stay
hurtful to all parties.
Pages:
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190