Volume II Part 23 (1/2)
”Come spur away!
I have no patience for a longer stay, But must go down, And leave the changeable noise of this great town; I will the country see, Where old simplicity, Though hid in grey, Doth look more gay Than foppery in plush and scarlet clad.”
Although Eleanor's judgment had said what the issue would be of that day's conference, she had made no preparation to leave home. That she could not do. She could not make certain before it came the weary foreboding that pressed upon her. She went to her father's room after dinner as usual, leaning her heart on that word which had been her walking-staff for three weeks past. ”The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him!”
Mrs. Powle was there, quietly knitting. The Squire had gathered himself up into a heap in his easy chair, denoting a contracted state of mind; after that curious fas.h.i.+on which bodily att.i.tudes have, of repeating the mental. Eleanor took the newspaper and sat down.
”Is there anything there particular?” growled the Squire.
”I do not see anything very particular, sir. Here is the continuation of the debate on--”
”How about that bill of yours and Mr. Carlisle's?” broke in Mrs. Powle.
”It was ordered to be printed, mamma--it has not reached the second reading yet. It will not for some time.”
”What do you suppose will become of it then?”
”What the Lord pleases. I do not know,” said Eleanor with a pang at her heart. ”I have done my part--all I could--so far.”
”I suppose you expect Mr. Carlisle will take it up as his own cause, after it has ceased to be yours?”
Eleanor understood this, and was silent. She took up the paper again to find where to read.
”Put that down, Eleanor Powle,” said her father who was evidently in a very bad humour, as he had cause, poor old gentleman; there is n.o.body so bad to be out of humour with as yourself;--”put that down! until we know whether you are going to read to me any more or no. I should like to know your decision.”
Eleanor hesitated, for it was difficult to speak.
”Come!--out with it. Time's up. Now for your answer. Are you going to be an obedient child, and give Mr. Carlisle a good wife? Hey? Speak!”
”An obedient child, sir, in everything but this. I can give Mr.
Carlisle nothing, any more than he has.”
”Any more than he has? What is that?”
”A certain degree of esteem and regard, sir--and perhaps, forgiveness.”
”Then you will not marry him, as I command you?”
”No--I cannot.”
”And you won't give up being a Methodist?”
”I cannot help being what I am. I will not go to church, papa, anywhere that you forbid me.”
She spoke low, endeavouring to keep calm. The Squire got up out of his chair. He had no calmness to keep, and he spoke loud.
”Have you taught your sister to think there is any harm in dancing?”
”In dancing parties, I suppose I have.”
”And you think they are wicked, and won't go to them?”
”I do not like them. I cannot go to them, papa; for I am a servant of Christ; and I can do no work for my Master there at all; but if I go, I bear witness that they are good.”