He was at home in time to meet the doctor, and hear that Maurice had
suffered not the smallest damage; and then to make another
ineffectual attempt to persuade Albinia to consign Sophy to
imprisonment with Aunt Maria; after which he drove off very much
against his will with Lucy and Gilbert, both declaring that they did
not care a rush to go to Fairmead under the present circumstances.
Albinia had a sad, sore sense of failure, and almost of guilt, as she
lingered on the door-step after seeing them set off. The education
of 'Edmund's children' had been a cherished vision, and it had
resulted so differently from her expectations, that her heart sank.
With Gilbert there was indeed no lack of love and confidence, but
there was a sad lurking sense of his want of force of character, and
she had avowedly been insufficient to preserve him from temptation;
Lucy, whom externally she had the most altered, was not of a nature
accordant enough with her own for her to believe the effects deep or
permanent; and Sophia--poor Sophia! Had what was kindly called
forbearance been really neglect and want of moral courage? Would a
gentler, less eager person have won instead of repelling confidence?
Had her multiplicity of occupations made her give but divided
attention to the more important home duty. Alas! alas! she only knew
that her husband thought his daughter beyond her management, and for
that very reason she would have given worlds to retain the uncouth,
perverse girl under her charge.
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