Volume Ii Part 33 (1/2)
”I must know by what standards Mr. Carleton will be guided, before I agree to any such thing,” said Fleda.
”Standards! but aren't you going to trust anybody in anything, without knowing what standards they go by ?”
”Would that be a safe rule to follow in general?” said Fleda, smiling.
”You wont be a true woman if you don't follow it, sooner or later, my dear Fleda,” said Mrs. Evelyn. ”Every woman must.”
”The later the better, Ma'am, I cannot help thinking.”
”You will change your mind,” said Mrs. Evelyn, complacently.
”Mamma's notions, Mr. Stackpole, would satisfy any man's pride, when she is expatiating upon the subject of woman's dependence,” said Florence.
”The dependence of affection,” said Mrs. Evelyn. ”Of course!
It's their lot. Affection always leads a true woman to merge her separate judgment, on anything, in the judgment of the beloved object.”
”Ay,” said Fleda, laughing, ”suppose her affection is wasted on an object that has none?”
”My dear Fleda!” said Mrs. Evelyn, with a funny expression, ”that can never be, you know; don't you remember what your favourite, Longfellow, says, ? 'Affection never is wasted'? ?
Florence, my love, just hand me 'Evangeline,' there ? I want you to listen to it, Mr. Stackpole, here it is ?
'Talk not of wasted affection: affection never was wasted: If it enrich not the heart of another, its waters returning Back to their springs, shall fill them full of refreshment.
That which the fountain sends forth returns again to the fountain.' ”
”How very plain it is that was written by a man,” said Fleda.
”Why?” said Mr. Carleton, laughing.
”I always thought it was so exquisite!” said Florence.
”_I_ was so struck with it,” said Constance, ”that I have been looking ever since for an object to waste _my_ affections upon.”
”Hush, Constance!” said her mother. ”Don't you like it, Mr.
Carleton?”
”I should like to hear Miss Ringgan's commentary,” said Mr.
Stackpole; ”I can't antic.i.p.ate it. I should have said the sentiment was quite soft and tender enough for a woman.”
”Don't you agree with it, Mr. Carleton?” repeated Mrs. Evelyn.
”I beg leave to second Mr. Stackpole's motion,” he said, smiling.
”Fleda, my dear, you must explain yourself; the gentlemen are at a stand.”
”I believe, Mrs. Evelyn,” said Fleda, smiling and blus.h.i.+ng ?
”I am of the mind of the old woman who couldn't bear to see anything wasted.”
”But the a.s.sertion is, that it _isn't_ wasted,” said Mr.