Harold had told him of the
warm feeling shown by the tenantry when Dermot was lying in danger of
his life, and their rejoicing when he turned the corner and began to
recover, and he asked anxiously whether all this affection might not
awaken a responsive chord, and draw him to "what was undoubtedly his
proper sphere."
"It will," said Harold.
"You think so? And there is little doubt but that your cousin's
influence at such a critical period may have great effect in turning
the scale?"
Harold nodded.
"More especially as, from the intelligence I have received, I have
little doubt that the connection will be drawn a good deal closer
before long," said Lord Erymanth with a benignant smile at us both.
"I suppose we must not begin to congratulate one another yet, for I
may conclude that nothing had actually taken place when you came
away."
"Nothing."
"When my sister became conscious of the condition of affairs and
wrote to consult me, I had no hesitation in replying that, though
Viola's connections might warrant greater expectations in a worldly
point of view, yet I thought that there was every reason for
promoting an attachment to a gentleman of family equal to her own on
one side at least, and whose noble exertions during the past two
years for the welfare of all concerned with him, not only obliterate
all recollection of past disadvantages, but in every way promise
honour and happiness to all connected with him.
Pages:
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251