'"
"Just like Bobus!" said Caroline. "He never gives up his purpose!
But how about dear little Esther? Is she really untouched?"
"I hope so," replied her mother. "So far it has all been put upon
propriety, and so on. I told her, now she was grown up and come home
from school she must not run after her cousins as she used to do, and
I have called her away sometimes when he has tried to get her alone.
Last evening, she told me in a very simple way-—like the child she
is—-that Robert would walk home with her in the moonlight, and
hindered her when she tried to join the others, telling me she hoped
I should not be angry with her. He seems to have talked to her about
this London plan; but I told her on the spot it was impossible."
"I am afraid it is!" sighed Caroline. "Dear Essie! I will do my
best to keep her peace from being ruffled, for I know you are quite
right; but I can't help being sorry for my boy, and he is so
determined that I don't think he will give up easily."
"You may let him understand that nothing will ever make me consent,"
returned the Colonel.
"I will, if he enters on it with me," said Caroline; "but I think it
is advisable as long as possible to prevent it from taking a definite
shape."
Caroline was much better able now to hold her own with her brother
and sister-in-law.
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