'Is this his own proposal?' asked Mr. Kendal.
'No; he has never spoken of it, but your plan has always seemed so
decided that perhaps he thinks he has no choice.'
'That is not what I wish,' said his father. 'If his inclinations be
otherwise, he has only to speak, and I will consider.'
'Shall I sound him?' suggested Albinia, dreading the timidity that
always stood between the boy and his father.
'Do not inspire him with the wish and then imagine it his own,' said
Mr. Kendal; and then thinking he had spoken sternly, added 'I know
you would be the last to wish him to take holy orders inconsiderately,
but you have such power over him, that I question whether he would
know his wishes from yours.'
Albinia began to disavow the desire of actuating him.
'You would not intend it, but he would catch the desire from you, and
I own I would rather he were not inspired with it. If he now should
express it, I should fear it was the unconscious effort to escape
from India. If it had been his brother Edmund, I would have made any
sacrifice, but I do not think Gilbert has the energy or force of
character I should wish to see in a clergyman, nor do I feel willing
to risk him at the university.'
'Oh! Edmund, why will you distrust Oxford? Why will you not believe
what I know through Maurice and his friends?'
'If my poor boy had either the disposition or the discipline of your
brother, I should not feel the same doubt.
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