She had been
properly sweet, affectionate, always obedient to him;--the most
charming plaything in the world on the few occasions in which he
had allowed himself to play. But as to her actual disposition, he
had never taken any trouble to inform himself. She had been left
to her mother,--as other girls are left. And his sons had been left
to their tutors. And now he had no control over any of them. 'She
must be made to obey like others,' he said at last, speaking
through his teeth.
There was something in this which almost frightened Lady Cantrip.
She could not bear to hear him say that the girl must be made to
yield with that spirit of despotic power under which women were
restrained in years now passed. If she could have spoken her own
mind it would have been to this effect: 'Let us do what we can to
lead her away from this desire of hers; and in order that we may
do so, let us tell her that her marriage with Mr Tregear is out of
the question. But if we do not succeed,--let us give way. Let us
make it a matter of joy that the young man himself is so
acceptable and well-behaved.
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