"Smart and clever," or "slow and dull," took with him the place
of "right and wrong." Little as he thought it, he was himself narrow-minded
and dull; slow and blind to perceive the beauty and eternal wisdom of
simple goodness.
Erminia and Maggie became great friends. Erminia used to beg for Maggie,
until she herself put a stop to the practice; as she saw her mother yielded
more frequently than was convenient, for the honor of having her daughter
a visitor at Mr. Buxton's, about which she could talk to her few
acquaintances who persevered in calling at the cottage. Then Erminia
volunteered a visit of some days to Maggie, and Mrs. Browne's pride was
redoubled; but she made so many preparations, and so much fuss, and gave
herself so much trouble, that she was positively ill during Erminia's stay;
and Maggie felt that she must henceforward deny herself the pleasure of
having her friend for a guest, as her mother could not be persuaded from
attempting to provide things in the same abundance and style as that to
which Erminia was accustomed at home; whereas, as Nancy shrewdly observed,
the young lady did not know if she was eating jelly, or porridge, or
whether the plates were common delf or the best China, so long as she was
with her dear Miss Maggie. Spring went, and summer came. Frank had gone to
and fro between Cambridge and Combehurst, drawn by motives of which he felt
the force, but into which he did not care to examine.
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