"Then Edward is not so moonstruck as I thought him! And when shall it
be, dearest? Give me as much time as you can. I must go back this day
fortnight."
"I suppose your expectations are not high in the matter of finery," said
Ermine, with a certain archness of voice.
"Those eyes are all the finery I ever see."
"Then if you will not be scandalized at my natural Sunday dress, I don't
see why this day week should not do as well as any other time."
"Ermine, you are the only woman I ever met totally free from nonsense."
"Take care, it is very unfeminine and disagreeable to be devoid of
nonsense."
"Very, and therefore you are talking it now! Ermine, how shall I thank
you? Not only for the sake of the ease of mind to my poor brother; but
in the scenes we are going through, a drop of happiness is wanted as a
stimulant. When I looked at the young couple at Bishopsworthy, I often
felt as if another half-year of suspense was more than I could bear, and
that I must ask you to help me through with at least a definite hope."
"Ah! you have gone through a great deal I am sure it has been a time of
great trouble."
"Indeed it has. The suffering has become unceasing and often most
severe, and there is grievous depression of spirits; I could not have
left him even for a day, if he had not been so fervently bent on this."
"Is he feeling his loss more acutely than at first?"
"Not so much that, as for the poor little boy, who is a heavy burthen on
his mind. He has lived in such a state of shrewd distrust that he has
no power of confidence, and his complications for making all the boy's
guardians check one another till we come to a dead lock, and to make
provision for Isabel out of Menteith's reach, are enough to distract the
brain of a man in health."
"Is he fond of the child?"
"It is an oppressive care to him, and he only once has made up his mind
to see it, though it is never off his mind, and it is very curious how
from the first he has been resolved on your taking charge of it. It is
the most real testimony he could give you."
"It is very comfortable not to be brought in like an enemy in spite of
him, as even a year ago I could have been proud to do."
"And I to have brought you," he answered, "but it is far better as it
is. He is very cordial, and wants to give up the Auchinvar estate to me;
indeed, he told me that he always meant me to have it as soon as I had
washed my hands of you--you wicked syren--but I think you will agree
with me that he had better leave it to his daughter Mary, who has
nothing. We never reckoned on it."