He was exceedingly vexed, and
therefore the less disposed to be lenient. The more Albinia told him
of Sophy's unhappiness, the more he hoped it would do her good, and
he could not be induced to see her, nor to send her any message of
forgiveness, for in truth it was less the baby's accident that he
resented, than the eighteen months of surly resistance to the baby's
mother, and at present he was more unrelenting than the generous,
forgiving spirit of his wife could understand, though she tried to
believe it manly severity and firmness.
'It would be time to pardon,' he said, 'when pardon was asked.'
And Albinia could not say that it had been asked, except by misery.
'She has the best advocate in you,' said Mr. Kendal, affectionately,
'and if there be any feeling in her, such forbearance cannot fail to
bring it out. I am more grieved than I can tell you at your present
disappointment, but it shall not happen again. If you can bring her
to a better mind, I shall be the more satisfied in sending her from
home.'
'Edmund! you do not think of it!'
'My mind is made up. Do you think I have not watched your patient
care, and the manner in which it has been repaid? You have
sufficient occupation without being the slave of those children's
misconduct.'
'Sophy would be miserable. Oh! you must not! She is the last girl
in the world fit to be sent to school.'
'I will not have you made miserable at home.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181