CHAPTER XXIII. THE PARK

emeanour,andevenexactinginherrequirements,shehasstrongaffectionsforthosewhocanreachthemand,thoughsoblindlyattachedtoherson,sheisnotwithoutgoodprinciples,orincapableofhearingreason.Ifyouwouldbutconciliateheralittle,andadoptafriendly,openmanner—andevenconfideyourgrievancestoher—realgrievances,suchasyouhavearighttocomplainof—itismyfirmbeliefthatshewould,intime,becomeyourfaithfulfriend,andacomfortandsupporttoyou,insteadoftheincubusyoudescribeher.”ButIfearmyadvicehadlittleeffectupontheunfortunateyoungladyand,findingIcouldrendermyselfsolittleserviceable,myresidenceatAshbyParkbecamedoublypainful.Butstill,Imuststayoutthatdayandthefollowingone,asIhadpromisedtodoso:though,resistingallentreatiesandinducementstoprolongmyvisitfurther,Iinsistedupondepartingthenextmorningaffirmingthatmymotherwouldbelonelywithoutme,andthatsheimpatientlyexpectedmyreturn.Nevertheless,itwaswithaheavyheartthatIbadeadieutopoorLadyAshby,andleftherinherprincelyhome.Itwasnoslightadditionalproofofherunhappiness,thatsheshouldsoclingtotheconsolationofmypresence,andearnestlydesirethecompanyofonewhosegeneraltastesandideasweresolittlecongenialtoherown—whomshehadcompletelyforgotteninherhourofprosperity,andwhosepresencewouldberatheranuisancethanapleasure,ifshecouldbuthavehalfherheart’sdesire.