A Life's Morning

e free gaiety and restfulness of the morning of her arrival could not escape notice, though she affected a continuance of the bright mood. Mr. Athel and his sister both obser

ised; all her friends felt that, though they could not easily have explained in what way they became conscious of this reserve, she seemed so thoro

many promises to write from Switzerland. Emily was self-possessed, but Wilfrid read in her face that she was going through an ordeal. He felt the folly of his first proposal, that she should play a part before Mrs. Rossall through the winter months. He decided, moreover,

he had said to Emily, he could scarcely allow that deep affection for his father dwelt within him, nor did the nature of the case permit him to feel exactly reverent; these stronger emotions were reserved for the memory of the parent who was long dead. He thought of his father with warm friendliness, that temper which is consistent with clear perception of faults and foibles, which makes of them, indeed, an occasion for the added kindliness of indulgence, and which, on the other hand, leaves perfect freedom in judgment and action. We know that it is for the most part a misfortune to be the son of a really great man, and for the reason that nature, so indifferent to the individual, makes the well-being of each generation mainly consist in early predomina

te seat in the garden. Mrs. Rossall was going with the twins to make a farewell call on neighbouring friends.

ur aunt,' Mr. Athel remarked, after a

sedly, seating himself on a camp-stool which he had brought ou

O

e. It occurred to him at once that something r

one leg over the other, and letti

titude, save that he had nothing to lean hack against. 'A day or

s temples were hot. By an effort he kept his eyes steadily fixed on his father's face, and what he saw there did not supply encouragement to proceed in th

silence fo

this,' Wilfrid continued, rather hurriedly. 'It was

ispleasure had succeed

be so sorry to hear,' were his first words, del

ught,' said Wilfrid, to whom a hint of opposi

of this kind have been going on under my roof. I have no wish to say anything disrespectful of Miss Hood, but I am

. groom, for instance, did not care to incur reproof a second time. Where this mode of utterance was out of place, he was apt to have recourse to a somewhat too elaborate irony, to involve himself in phrases which ultimately led to awkward hesitations, with the effect that he gr

if there is any blame in the matter-and how can there be any?-it rests solely upon me. I dare say you remember my going out to fetch the "Spectator," after Miss Redwing had been singing to us. By chance I met Miss Hood in the garden. I was led to say something to her which made a longer interview inevitable; she consented t

ely alter my view of the position of things. Had you come to me before offering yourself to this young lady, and done me the honour of asking m

opinion have been

to take a step which would assuredly lead to regret at least, very probably to more active

edge of the case. You can scarcely know Miss Hood as I do. I have

ked up with g

I am terribly disappointed. Your position and your hopes pointed to very different things. You

r to Miss

ural

d moral. With her I have none. We cannot talk without flagrant differences-differences of a serious, a radical nature. Be assur

the book, seemingly paying

s Hood?' he asked suddenl

ind which it refreshes and delights me to discover. Of course that is not all

enty years back, or was it but destiny making him play his part in the human comedy?) 'and, in point of fact' (perhaps the parallel touched him at this point), 'you are old enough to judge the affair on its own merits.

ich could cast a shadow of suspicion on her perfect truth. I beg that you will

' was the rejoinder, al

hat, father?' Wilfrid

e all you say; I would not willingly be anything but scrupulously just. The fact remains that this is not the alliance which it

rried out as he had conceived them. A graver uneasiness was possessing him. Resolve would only grow

d tone the result of observing that he had made a certain impression,

a kind that it is hardly worth while to

going to say. There's no ha

ere might be reasonable objections. As it is, it would hardly involve a change even in your tone to her, seeing that you are in the habit of treating her as a lady, and with a certain degree of familiar kindness. I confess I had anticipated no difficulties. We are not a household of bigoted Conservatives;

father, was urged in all sincerity, and derived its force from that very fact. He possessed not a little of the persuasive genius which goes to make an orator-hereaf

hat it is only by chance that Miss Hood lives under my

f side-glancings at feminine weaknesses. An oppo

e into my confidence; to ask you to say nothing to Aunt Edith. Miss Hood felt that that would be impos

ed us freely,' observed the fat

ink you must give me credit for the usual measure of

n had in it something of pride. He woul

t and reasonable. Putting aside for the moment the wretchedly unsatisfactory circumstances which originate it,

hat aunt would n

see how I could rec

d refl

ative. I must give up my intention of returning

e uttered, however, and he was glad of it. A purpose thus formulat

ind his back, and took a turn across a few yards of lawn. Wilfrid sat still

ome for a while? Are you going to throw up your career, an

strong wish that I should. But my future, most happily, does not depend on success of that kind. I shall live the life of a student, my end will be self-culture. And Miss Hood is unfortunately not able to remain at home. I say unfortunately, but I should have regarde

u know of h

is plain enough, though, that they cannot be without refinem

considered the i

Hood returned to us, as you propose, should you consider it a point of honour to go on with your work at Balliol

y well arrange to keep away fro

with your position, pray understand that. I think you have made about as bad a mi

of persuading her. I am afraid I can't very well bring myself to compromises wh

if you take the strict

difference between himself and his son. The paternal instinct was strong in him, and it was inevitable that he should be touche

udy about ten to-nigh

f the discussion

e drawing-room, Wilfrid wandered out to the summer-house

ter, 'that it's so hard to find valid objections. If he had propos

ad marked itself by a slight elevation of the brows; at the end she was cold and rather disdainful. Observation of her face had t

were her first words, 'but I suppo

indulgence which he had assumed. 'He has urged upon me an extraordinary proposal. His idea

ourse told him that such a th

would probably

you hold a di

e got the right focus yet. I know that the plans of a lif

led. She sat with her eyes dr

y plan in particula

suppos

for Beatrice,' she sa

ink it

yebrows a little, and kep

re negatives. 'He has delivered a sort of ultimatum. In the event of th

goes back

abandons h

in woman's nature to be uninte

of influencing

nd it seems there are difficulties in the way of her remaining at home. Of

n to see the ease as I do. Such a state of things would be ludicrous; we should all be playing parts i

acceded to it,' said Mr. Athel, with a c

se of her than I

rious opinion of Miss Hood. One begins, naturally, with a suspicion that she has not been altogether passive in this

assignations for six o

granting the issue; you are

seem to be very much of Wilf's opinion.

ing way to irritation. He must be told h

of course that a discussion was in progress between his father and his aunt, and calm wait

hers did not seem disposed to break silence, 'that you

s. Rossall's reply, given very coldly. 'But I cert

the surprise of both. 'The plan was not w

' his father inquired, a

ee the whole matter in the same light as yourselves, but it seems to me that in the step I have taken there is nothing t

d uneasily upon his chair, coughed, seemed

d with you,' continued Wilfrid, rising. 'But tha

mediation; clearly she would offer nothing of the kind. She was wrapping

room,' he said mov

no further discussion, Wilfrid repl

,' said his fa

frid, without further speech t