Her husband will be to her what her father now is--the object of all
her care, solicitude, and affection. She will see nothing, and connect
herself with nothing, but by him and through him. If he is a man
of sense and virtue, she will sympathize in his sorrows, divert his
fatigue, and share his pleasures. If she becomes the property of a
churlish or negligent husband, she will suit his taste also, for she
will not long survive his unkindness. And, alas, how great is the chance
that some such unworthy lot may be that of my poor friend!--Oh, that I
were a queen this moment, and could command the most amiable and
worthy youth of my kingdom to accept happiness with the hand of Rose
Bradwardine!'
'I wish you would command her to accept mine EN ATTENDANT,' said Fergus,
laughing.
I don't know by what caprice it was that this wish, however jocularly
expressed, rather jarred on Edward's feelings, notwithstanding his
growing inclination to Flora, and his indifference to Miss Bradwardine.
This is one of the inexplicabilities of human nature, which we leave
without comment.
'Yours, brother?' answered Flora, regarding him steadily. 'No; you have
another bride--Honour; and the dangers you must run in pursuit of her
rival would break poor Rose's heart.
Pages:
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263