'If he was, he will be the first to own it.'

'Then I am forgiven, am I? And I may ask after you after this long
solitary winter. We thought a great deal of you.'

'I needed no pity, thank you. I was well off with my chemistry and the
parish matters. I liked the quiet time.'

'I know you do not care for society.'

'My aunt is a very amusing companion. Her clear, shrewd observation is
like a book of French memoirs.'

'And you are one of the few not afraid of her.'

'No. We understand each other, and it is better for all parties that she
should know I am not to be interfered with. Positively I think she has
been fonder of me since we measured our strength.'

'There is a mutual attachment in determined spirits,' said Miss Gardner.

'I think there must be. I fancy it is resolution that enables me to go
further with her than any one else can without offending her.'

'She is so proud of you.'

'What is strange is, that she is prouder of me than of mamma, who is so
much handsomer and more accomplished,--more tractable, too, and making a
figure and sensation that I never shall.'

'Mrs. Nesbit knows better,' said Miss Gardner, laughing.

'Don't say so. If John's illness had not prevented my coming out last
year, I might have gone into the world like other girls. Now I see the
worth of a young lady's triumph--the disgusting speculation! I detest
it.'

'Ah! you have not pardoned poor Georgina.'

'Do you wish for my real opinion?'

'Pray let me hear it.'

'Georgina had a grand course open to her, and she has shrunk from it.'

'A grand course!' repeated Jane, bewildered.

'Yes, honest poverty, and independence. I looked to her to show the
true meaning of that word. I call it dependence to be so unable to
exist without this world's trash as to live in bondage for its sake.
Independence is trusting for maintenance to our own head and hands.'

'So you really would have had us--do what? Teach music?--make lace?'

'If I had been lucky enough to have such a fate, I would have been a
village school-mistress.'

'Not even a governess?'

'I should like the village children better; but, seriously, I would
gladly get my own bread, and I did believe Georgina meant to wait to be
of age and do the same.'

'But, Theodora, seriously! The loss of position.'

'I would ennoble the office.'

'With that head that looks as if it was born in the purple, you would
ennoble anything, dear Theodora; but for ordinary--'

'Al