On the whole, it
may be said that the time passed smoothly--with some occasional checks
and drawbacks, which were the more easily endured seeing that they took
their rise in Isabel's own conduct. Compliant as she was in general,
there were two instances, among others, in which her resolution to take
her own way was not to be overcome. She refused to write either to Moody
or to Lady Lydiard informing them of her engagement; and she steadily
disapproved of Miss Pink's policy of concealment, in the matter of the
robbery at Lady Lydiard's house. Her aunt could only secure her as a
passive accomplice by stating family considerations in the strongest
possible terms. "If the disgrace was confined to you, my dear, I might
leave you to decide. But I am involved in it, as your nearest relative;
and, what is more, even the sacred memories of your father and mother
might feel the slur cast on them." This exaggerated language--like all
exaggerated language, a mischievous weapon in the arsenal of weakness
and prejudice--had its effect on Isabel. Reluctantly and sadly, she
consented to be silent.
Miss Pink wrote word of the engagement to Moody first; reserving to a
later day the superior pleasure of informing Lady Lydiard of the very
event which that audacious woman had declared to be impossible. To her
aunt's surprise, just as she was about to close the envelope Isabel
stepped forward, and inconsistently requested leave to add a postscript
to the very letter which she had refused to write! Miss Pink was not
even permitted to see the postscript.
Pages:
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169