He did not argue, but having once shown that his
salary warranted his offer, that the climate was excellent, and that
European civilisation prevailed, he treated his uncle and aunt as
unreasonably prejudiced mortals, who would in time yield to his
patient determination.
His mother was as much annoyed as they were, all the more because her
sister-in-law could hardly credit her perfect innocence of Robert's
intentions, and was vexed at her wish to ascertain Esther's feelings.
This was not easy! the poor child was so unhappy and shamefaced, so
shocked at her involuntary disobedience, and so grieved at the pain
she had given. If Robert had been set before her with full consent
of friends, she would have let her whole heart go out to him, loved
him, and trusted him for ever, treating whatever opinions were unlike
hers as manly idiosyncrasies beyond her power to fathom. But she was
no Lydia Languish to need opposition as a stimulus. It rather gave
her tender and dutiful spirit a sense of shame, terror, and
disobedience; and she thankfully accepted the mandate that sent her
on a visit to her married sister for as long as Bobus should remain
at Belforest.
He did not show himself downcast, but was quietly assured that he
should win her at last, only smiling at the useless precaution, and
declaring himself willing to wait, and make a home for her.
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