I said I'd go. Mother said if I did, she'd
never have me in the house again. That didn't make any difference
to me. I was going in any case."
"Why?"
"A Mr. Grierson down there, asked me to marry him. I couldn't consent
without telling him."
"You told him?"
"Yes."
"What did he say?"
"Not very much. Just that at first he couldn't believe it. Then, when
he saw I was telling the truth, he said nothing."
"Why did you tell him?"
"Because--it was only right--it was only fair."
Janet gazed at her, eyes softened with a gentle admiration.
"Do you remember what you told me about your father?" she said.
"Yes, why?"
"I expect you must he very like him. Only, instead of being a slave
to a Church, you're a slave to your heart. You're just as much the
type of woman whom the world wants and treats damned badly--I don't
care if I do swear--as he was the type of man whom an institution
like the Church of England requires--and treats damned badly too.
I guess you're exactly like your father."
"That's what mother said; but she didn't put it in that way. She said
I was a fool--like father was."
"Hum!" said Janet, and picked up her brush again.
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