her morning pleasure with Julia was also denied her. Mrs. Powle
had been in a state of gratulation with reference to Julia's
improvement; Julia had become latterly so docile, so decorous, and so
diligent. One unlucky day it came to Mrs. Powle's knowledge that Julia
objected to going to dancing school; objected to spending money on the
accomplishment, and time on the acquisition; and furthermore, when
pressed, avowed that she did not believe in the use of it when
attained. It seemed to Mrs. Powle little less than a judgment upon her,
to have the second of her daughters holding such language; it was
traced to Eleanor's influence of course; and further and diligent
questioning brought out the fact of the sisters' daily studies in
company. They should happen no more, Mrs. Powle immediately decided.
Julia was forbidden to go to her sister's room for such purposes; and
to make matters sure she was provided with other and abundant
occupation to keep her engaged at the dangerous hour. With Eleanor
herself Mrs. Powle held no communication on the subject; having for
certain reasons an unwillingness to come into unnecessary collision
with her; but Eleanor found her little sister's society was no more to
be had. Mrs. Powle would assuredly have sent Julia quite out of the
house to get her away from mischievous influences, but that she could
not prevail on her husband. No daughter of his, he declared, should be
made a fool of in a boarding-school, while he had a foot above ground
to prevent it.

"Why Mrs. Powle," he said, "don't you know yourself that Eleanor is the
only sensible girl in London? That's growing up at home, just as you
didn't want."

"If she only had not some notions--" said Mrs. Powle dubiously. For
between her husband and Mr. Carlisle she was very much _held in_ on
Eleanor's subject; both insisting that she should let her alone. It was
difficult for Eleanor to be displeased with Mr. Carlisle in these
times; his whole behaviour was so kind and gentlemanly. The only fault
to be found with him was his pursuit of her. That was steady and
incessant; yet at the same time so brotherly and well-bred in manner
that Eleanor sometimes feared she gave him unconsciously too much
encouragement. Feeling really grateful to him, it was a little hard not
to shew it. For although Mr. Carlisle was the cause of her trouble, he
was also a shield between her and its more active manifestations. He
favoured her not dancing; _that_ was lik