'
'Well?' said Albinia, interrogatively, and Sophy laid down her work
and crossed one hand over the other on her knees, and leant back as
though to hinder visible tremor.
'Yes,' he said, going on with what had been deferred till Maurice was
gone. 'I thought it hard on him--and as I was going to speak to
Edwards, I asked if she were at the Union, where I found her, taking
leave of the old women, and giving them little packets of snuff, and
small presents, chiefly her own work, I am sure. I took her with me
into the fields, and persuaded her at last to talk it over with me.
Poor little thing! I never saw a more high-minded, conscientious
spirit: she was very unhappy about it, and said she knew it was all
her unfortunate manner, she wished to be guarded, but a little
excitement and conversation always turned her head, and she entreated
me not to hinder her going back to a school-room, out of the way of
every one. I told her that she must not blame herself for being more
than usually agreeable; but she would not listen, and I could hardly
bring her to attend to what I said of young O'More. Poor girl! I
believe she was running away from her own heart.'
'You have prevented her?' cried Sophy.
'At least I have induced her to hear his arguments. I told her my
opinion of him, which was hardly needed, and what I thought might
have more weight--that he has earned the right to please himself, and
that I believed she would be better for him than riches.
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