He heard the wheels, and went out to unbolt the door. Those were a pair for a father to be proud of--Norman, of fine stature and noble looks, with his high brow, clear thoughtful eye, and grave intellectual eagle face, lighting into animation with his rare, sweet smile; and Flora, so tall and graceful, and in her white dress, picturesquely half concealed by her mantle, with flowers in her hair, and a deepened colour in her cheek, was a fair vision, as she came in from the darkness.
"Well! was it a pleasant party?"
Norman related the circumstances, while his sister remained silently leaning against the mantel-piece, looking into the fire, until he took up his candle, and bade them good-night. Dr. May was about to do the same, when she held out her hand. "One moment, if you please, dear papa," she said; "I think you ought to know it." "
What, my dear?"
"Mr. George Rivers, papa--"
"Ha!" said Dr. May, beginning to smile. "So that is what he is at, is it? But what an opportunity to take."
"It was in the conservatory," said Flora, a little hurt, as her father discovered by her tone. "The music was going on, and I don't know that there could have been--"
"A better opportunity, eh?" said Dr. May, laughing; "well, I should have thought it awkward; was he very much discomposed?"
"I thought," said Flora, looking down and hesitating, "that he had better come to you."
"Indeed! so you shifted the ungracious office to me. I am very glad to spare you, my dear; but it was hard on him to raise his hopes."
"I thought," faltered Flora, "that you could not disapprove--"
"Flora--" and he paused, completely confounded, while his daughter was no less surprised at the manner in which her news was received. Each waited for the other to speak, and Flora turned away, resting her head against the mantel-piece.
"Surely," said he, laying his hand on her shoulder, "you do not mean that you like this man?"
"I did not think that you would be against it," said Flora, in a choked voice, her face still averted.
"Heaven knows, I would not be against anything for your happiness, my dear," he answered; "but have you considered what it would be to spend your life with a man that has not three ideas! not a resource for occupying himself--a regular prey to ennui--one whom you could never respect!" He had grown more and more vehement, and Flora put her handkerchief to her eyes, for tears of actual disappointment were flowing.
"Come, come," he said, touched, but turning it off by a smile, "we will not talk of it any more to-night. It is your first offer, and you are flattered, but we know
'Colours seen by candle-light, Will not bear the light of day.'
There, good-night, Flora, my dear--we will have a-tete-a-tete in the study before breakfast, when you have had time to look into your own mind."
He kissed her affectionately, and went upstairs with her, stopping at her door to give her another embrace, and to say "Bless you, my dear child, and help you to come to a right decision--"
Flora was disappointed. She had been too highly pleased at her conquest to make any clear estimation of the prize, individually considered. Her vanity magnified her achievement, and she had come home in a flutter of pleasure, at having had such a position in society offered to her, and expecting that her whole family would share her triumph. Gratified by George Rivers's admiration, she regarded him with favour and complacency; and her habit of considering herself as the most sensible person in her sphere made her so regard his appreciation of her, that she was blinded to his inferiority. It must be allowed that he was less dull with her than with most others.
And, in the midst of her glory, when she expected her father to be delighted and grateful--to be received as a silly girl, ready to accept any proposal, her lover spoken of with scorn, and the advantages of the match utterly passed over, was almost beyond endurance. A physician, with eleven children dependent on his practice, to despise an offer from the heir of such a fortune! But that was his customary romance! She forgave him, when it occurred to her that she was too important, and valuable, to be easily spared; and a tenderness thrilled through her, as she looked at the sleeping Margaret's pale face, and thought of surrendering her and little Daisy to Ethel's keeping. And what would become of the housekeeping? She decided, however, that feelings must not sway her--out of six sisters some must marry, for the good of the rest. Blanche and Daisy should come and stay with her, to be formed by the best society; and, as to poor dear Ethel, Mrs. Rivers would rule the Ladies' Committee for her with a high hand, and, perhaps, provide Cocksmoor with a school at her sole expense. What a useful, admirable woman she would be! The doctor would be the person to come to his senses in the morning, when he remembered Abbotstoke, Mr. Rivers, and Meta.
So Flora met her father, the next morning, with all her ordinary composure, in which he could not rival her, after his sleepless, anxious night. His looks of affectionate solicitude disconcerted what she had intended to say, and she waited, with downcast eyes, for him to begin.
"Well, Flora," he said at last, "have you thought?"
"Do you know any cause against it?" said Flora, still looking down.
"I know almost nothing of him. I have never heard anything of his character or conduct. Those would be a subject of inquiry, if you wish to carry this on--"
"I see you are averse," said Flora. "I would do nothing against your wishes--"
"My wishes have nothing to do with it," said Dr. May. "The point is- -that I must do right, as far as I can, as well as try to secure your happiness; and I want to be sure that you know what you are about."