When you were both children,
you began to be accustomed to it, and it HAS prospered. But
circumstances alter cases; and I made this visit to-day, partly,
indeed principally, to discharge myself of the duty of telling you,
my dear, that two young people can only be betrothed in marriage
(except as a matter of convenience, and therefore mockery and
misery) of their own free will, their own attachment, and their own
assurance (it may or it may not prove a mistaken one, but we must
take our chance of that), that they are suited to each other, and
will make each other happy. Is it to be supposed, for example,
that if either of your fathers were living now, and had any
mistrust on that subject, his mind would not be changed by the
change of circumstances involved in the change of your years?
Untenable, unreasonable, inconclusive, and preposterous!'
Mr. Grewgious said all this, as if he were reading it aloud; or,
still more, as if he were repeating a lesson. So expressionless of
any approach to spontaneity were his face and manner.
'I have now, my dear,' he added, blurring out 'Will' with his
pencil, 'discharged myself of what is doubtless a formal duty in
this case, but still a duty in such a case. Memorandum, "Wishes."
My dear, is there any wish of yours that I can further?'
Rosa shook her head, with an almost plaintive air of hesitation in
want of help.
'Is there any instruction that I can take from you with reference
to your affairs?'
'I--I should like to settle them with Eddy first, if you please,'
said Rosa, plaiting the crease in her dress.
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