Solitary Island, Part III, Chapters II-III [pp. 70-93]

92 SOLITAR Y JSiAND. [April,
softly. "Well, my advice is, never mind so much the general
unfitness of the lady to be your wife. If she is a lady such as
Frances Lynch is, she will be well able to hold the first place in
your house. Follow your heart first-"
"I did follow it once," he interrupted, "and you know how it
ended. I shall not try it again. The first part of your advice
seems sensible, though. It agrees exactly with what I had
thought."
"And the last part, not agreeing with what you had thought,
is not sensible. That is fair reasoning."
"Never mind. Shall I take it for granted that you distinctly
encourage me to offer myself to Frances?"
"Why, no! That is most unjust. Are you trying to make
me responsible for your marriage?"
"Forgive me, but in my haste I misunderstood your meaning. I understand now. You think, as I do, that the lady would
be an admirable wife for any man, and therefore for me. Well,
the next time you see me it will be at the feet of Miss Frances.
I thank you for your very kind advice. Perhaps I might be useful to you in return."
"Perhaps so," she said shyly. Florian was in despair. These
manners were not Mrs. NIerrion's, and while they became her, as
everything did, they did not please him so well as the ordinary
sauciness and defiance. If the oratory was the cause of it he
would like to abolish it. She waited for some time after her last
words before speaking. "I have something to show you," she
said reluctantly. He knew it was the oratory, and she led the
way there. He was now at liberty to express his surprise, while
she stood blushing.
"I see it all," he said; "this is the meaning of your desertion of the fashionable world, of your loss of old-time cheerfulness and your increase of melancholy. Who would have
believed it?"
"You seem to pay great attention to my moods."
"If you are to pay attention to women you must watch their
moods, for their moods are themselves. I don't like to believe
that this summer's mood is you. Perhaps it will pass before
winter."
"Oh! I hope not, I hope not," she said earnestly. "Would
you not wish me to become a Catholic?"
It is natural, I suppose, to wish it. But it does not suit
every soul to get the faith. I hope it will not do you any more
damage. I would like to be of service to you and to advise you.