She did not speak with anger as the first time, but with most touching
sadness.
"I don't think any one could answer," he said.
"I did take my aunt's advice about the officers being here. I have not
had them nearly as much as Bessie would have liked, not even Alick. I
have been sorry it was so dull for her, but I thought it could not be
wrong to be intimate with one's clergyman, and Rachel was always so hard
upon him."
"You did nothing but what was kind and right. The only possible thing
that could have been wished otherwise was the making a regular habit of
his playing croquet here."
"Ah! but the boys and Bessie liked it so much. However, I dare say it
was wrong. Alick never did like it."
"Not wrong, only a little overdone. You ladies want sometimes to be put
in mind that, because a clergyman has to manage his own time, he is not
a whit more really at liberty than a soldier or a lawyer, whose hours
are fixed for him. You do not do him or his parish any kindness by
engrossing him constantly in pastimes that are all very well once in a
way, but which he cannot make habitual without detriment to his higher
duties."
"But I thought he would have known when he had time."
"I am afraid curates are but bits of human nature after all."
"And what ought I to have done?"
"If you had been an exceedingly prudent woman who knew the world, you
would have done just as you did about the officers, been friendly, and
fairly intimate, but instead of ratifying the daily appointments for
croquet, have given a special invitation now and then, and so shown that
you did not expect him without one."
"I see. Oh, if I had only thought in time, I need not have driven him
away from his parish! I hope he won't go on being unhappy long! Oh, I
wish there may be some very nice young lady where he is going. If he
only would come back married!"
"We would give him a vote of thanks."
"What a wedding present I would make her," proceeded Fanny, brightening
perceptibly; "I would give her my best Indian table, only I always meant
that for Ermine. I think she must have the emu's egg set in Australian
gold."
"If she were to be induced by the bribe," said Colonel Keith, laughing,
"I think Ermine would be sufficiently provided for by the emu's egg. Do
you know," he added, after a pause, "I think I have made a great step in
that direction."
She clasped her hands with delighted sympathy. "She has given me leave
to mention the matter," he continued, "and I take that as a sign that
her resistance will give way."