'I am very sorry to rebel against
you. But this is a question of life or death with me. I am not like
Lesbia. I cannot barter love and truth for worldly advantage--for pride
of race. Do not think me so weak or so vain as to be won by a few fine
speeches from an adventurer. Mr. Hammond is no adventurer, he has made
no fine speeches--but, I will tell you a secret, grandmother. I have
liked and admired him from the first time he came here. I have looked up
to him and reverenced him; and I must be a very foolish girl if my
judgment is so poor that I can respect a worthless man.'
'You _are_ a very foolish girl,' answered Lady Maulevrier, more kindly
than she had spoken before, 'but you have been very good and dutiful to
me since I have been ill, and I don't wish to forget that. I never said
that Mr. Hammond was worthless; but I say that he is no fit husband for
you. If you were as yielding and obedient as Lesbia it would be all the
better for you; for then I should provide for your establishment in life
in a becoming manner. But as you are wilful, and bent upon taking your
own way--well--my dear, you must take the consequence; and when you are
a struggling wife and mother, old before your time, weighed down with
the weary burden of petty cares, do not say, "My grandmother might have
saved me from this martyrdom.
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