Page 32 (1/1)
Haldane'shis effort to disguise fro and a little observation on the part of the experienced uess how matters stood While Mrs Arnot was perplexed and provoked by this new complication in Haldane's case, she was too kindly in her nature not to feel sorry for him She was also so well versed in human nature as to be aware that she could not sit down and coolly talk him out of his folly
Besides it was not necessarily folly The youth was but following a law of nature, and following it, too, in much the sa of ti in an attach up naturally; only it would be necessary to i, and that for years to coely occupied with other matters Haldane certainly would not have been her choice for Laura, but if a strong attach to the forht be well in the end She was morbidly anxious, however, that her niece should not meet with any such disappointment in life as had fallen to her lot, and should the current of the young girl's affection tend steadily in his direction she would deeply regret the fact
She would regret exceedingly, also, to have the young girl's hts of such a nature for years to come Her education was unfinished; she was very immature, and should not make so important a choice until she had seen iven for the formation of her tastes and character
Mrs Arnot soon concluded that it would be wiser to prevent trouble than to remedy it, and that Laura had better return speedily to the safe asyluest to Haldane that if he hoped to win the maiden in after years he must form a character worthy of her
Had she carried out her plan that day all ht have turned out differently, but the advanced in life are prone to forget the impetuosity of youth Haldane was already ripe for a declaration, or, s, and was only awaiting an opportunity to insist upon his own acceptance He was so possessed and absorbed by his emotions that he felt sure they would sweep away all obstacles He i his cause in a way that would melt a marble heart; and both vanity and hope had whispered that Laura was a shyhis frank avowal before showing her own heart Else why had she been so kind at first? Having won his love, was she not seeking now to goad hie of manner?