It was made infinitely more
difficult by the fact that Lady Cantrip had not seemed to think
that the marriage was impossible. 'Young people when they have set
their minds upon it do so generally prevail at last!' These had
been her words, and they discomforted him greatly. She had thought
the marriage to be possible. Had she not almost expressed an
opinion that they ought to be allowed to marry? And if so, would
it not be his duty to take his girl away from Lady Cantrip? As to
the idea that young people, because they have declared themselves
to be in love, were to have just what they wanted,--with that he
did not agree at all. Lady Cantrip had told him that young people
generally prevail at last. He knew the story of one young person,
whose position in her youth had been very much the same as that of
his daughter now, and she had not prevailed. And in her case had
not the opposition which had been made to her wishes been most
fortunate? That young person had become his wife, his Glencora,
his Duchess. Had she been allowed to have her own way when she was
a child, what would have been her fate? Ah what! Then he had to
think of it all.
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