But he checked it instantly, and only said, with the reverential
inflection which his voice never failed to take when he addressed his
mother, "What, then, would you advise me to try, in addition?"
"Marry a rich woman, my Victor; marry one of these moneyed English
girls, who are, for the most part, permitted to follow their
inclinations--inclinations which would surely, if encouraged, lead many
of them your way." Mrs. Carrington spoke in the calmest tone possible.
"Marry--I marry?" said Victor, in a tone of surprise, in which a quick
ear would have noticed something also of disappointment. "I thought you
would never like that, mother. It would part us, you know, and then
what would you do?"
"There is always the convent for me, Victor," said his mother, "if you
no longer needed me." And she composedly threaded her needle, and began
a very minute leaf in the pattern of her embroidery.
Victor Carrington looked at his mother with surprise, and some vague
sense of pain. She _could_ make up her mind to part with him--she had
thought of the possibility, and with complacence. He muttered something
about having something to do, and left her, strangely moved, while she
calmly worked in at her embroidery.
CHAPTER XXVII.
"WEAVE THE WARP, AND WEAVE THE WOOF."
On the following day Victor Carrington presented himself at Hilton
House, and was received by Miss Brewer alone.
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