He had meant them to be good, but his cares had been directed
to the understanding and manners, not the disposition;
and of the necessity of self-denial and humility,
he feared they had never heard from any lips that could
profit them.
Bitterly did he deplore a deficiency which now he
could scarcely comprehend to have been possible.
Wretchedly did he feel, that with all the cost and care
of an anxious and expensive education, he had brought up
his daughters without their understanding their first duties,
or his being acquainted with their character and temper.
The high spirit and strong passions of Mrs. Rushworth,
especially, were made known to him only in their sad result.
She was not to be prevailed on to leave Mr. Crawford.
She hoped to marry him, and they continued together
till she was obliged to be convinced that such hope
was vain, and till the disappointment and wretchedness
arising from the conviction rendered her temper so bad,
and her feelings for him so like hatred, as to make them
for a while each other's punishment, and then induce
a voluntary separation.
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