'
'Maurice had no discipline except at school and when William licked
him,' cried Albinia. 'You know he was but eleven years old when my
father died, and my aunts spoilt us without mitigation.'
'I said the disposition,' repeated Mr. Kendal; 'I can see nothing in
Gilbert marking him for a clergyman, and I think him susceptible to
the temptations that you cannot deny to exist at any college. Nor
would I desire to see him fixed here, until he has seen something of
life and of business, for which this bank affords the greatest
facilities with the least amount of temptation. He would also be
doing something for his own support; and with the life-interests upon
his property, he must be dependent on his own exertions, unless I
were to do more for him than would be right by the other children.'
'Then I am to say nothing to him?'
'I will speak to him myself. He is quite old enough to understand
his prospects and decide for himself.'
'But, Edmund,' cried Albinia, with sudden vehemence, 'you are not
sacrificing Gilbert for Maurice's sake?'
She had more nearly displeased him than she had ever done before,
though he looked up quietly, saying, 'Certainly not. I am not
sacrificing Gilbert, and I should do the same if Maurice were not in
existence.'
She was too much ashamed of her foolish fancy to say more, and she
cooled into candour sufficient to perceive that he was wise in
distrusting her tact where her preference was so strong.
Pages:
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328