human
My dear, I wish to talk to you about something which is very much on my mind.
gpt
Well, my dear, say anything you like, I have plenty of time.
human
You know, then, how kind and good you have been to me in allowing me to bring my niece here--I do assure you I have felt it deeply, though I have never said anything about it before, it was so like you. Well, now I think it is time to carry out my original intention, and relieve you of the burden, by providing for her in some way. Now, I was thinking if I could get her a place as companion or governess, what an excellent thing it would be for her.
gpt
My love, said her husband,
human
But, my dear, began his wife, and he laid it down again,
gpt
Depend upon it, Caroline, your sister would, when thinking of her orphan child, gladly have exchanged a life of hardships, for one of comfort and repose. Why did you not assure her that I would take care of her?--you know I am neither parsimonious nor poor.
human
Ah! but, indeed, I should be more satisfied if I did as I promised.
gpt
You would wrong yourself and me--do not think of it.
human
But you must see what a drawback she is to our daughters settling; and, really, for their sakes, poor things, it is to be thought of. I am getting quite anxious about them, having all four out together, and she makes a fifth. Not that I mean, for an instant, to say that she is more beautiful, or has a better figure, or does anything better than they do; for her voice wants a good deal of tuition--but she has an artful way of doing things, which makes her get on, and persuades every one to like her; why, the very servants would rather do anything for her, than any one else. And, only think of her mock modesty, pretending not to care how she looked, and attracting more attention all the time, when she went out riding with that old hat, which hung so long in the passage. Really, her airs require a little pulling down.
gpt
Caroline, said Mr. Villars, much vexed at the altered tone of her argument.
human
I never approved of the plan of depreciating others when they stand in our way, and I once hoped that our daughters--possessing every natural endowment--would not need such a false elevation. Surely they can be admired on their own account, and not simply because there is no one else to admire. Johnson says, 'Every man ought to aim at eminence, not by pulling others down, but by raising himself; and enjoy the pleasure of superiority, whether imaginary or real, without interrupting others in the same felicity.'
gpt
I am afraid, replied Mrs. Villars, who had listened with some impatience to this quotation,
human
But I do not see how doing a wrong thing can serve them. You spoke, just now, of the necessity of Mabel's supporting herself, eventually, but if she is admired, as you say, and as I think she deserves to be, why not give her the chance of being married; she can have but one husband after all.
gpt
Only one husband! repeated Mrs. Villars,
human
I never saw anything improper in her conduct, indeed, I was pleased with the respect he paid her, seemingly apart from love or pique.
gpt
Why one would think that you sat down here and invented people's conduct as you wished it to be; but surely, love, you must have seen the very pointed attentions Henry paid Caroline, before that insinuating girl came to the house?
human
No, indeed, I never knew anything more than you told me, and, for my own part, I never saw anything like attentions even.
gpt
You never see anything, I declare, but I tell you he did, though you do seem to doubt it--you should see how she manoeuvres to appear angelic in his eyes. More artfulness I never met with; so cheerful, so forgiving, and so everything, when she likes, that really it is quite provoking. Poor Caroline says she cannot bear it.
human
Why does she not imitate the rival she cannot outshine, for she has sufficient natural grace and talent to make her fascinating. Oh! Caroline, I fear there was something wanting in our children's education.
gpt
I do declare this is not all, and you shall know what she is; of that I am determined. There is Mr. Stokes, whom I expected to come forward for Maria, has taken to dangle after her, and she has found the art of pleasing him too, poor silly man, by always pretending to avoid his attentions, and, as if this was not enough, she puts another iron in the fire, for safety, and tries to make a fool of Mr. Morley, poor old man. Why, if this goes on, we shall be the laughing-stock of the place.
human
There can be nothing ridiculous, replied Mr. Villars,
gpt
But, said she, entreatingly,
human
I will not, indeed, consent to anything unjust. There is a certain prejudice existing in society against the position held by a governess, and I should think it most injurious to her interests if I allowed her to assume it, unless I meant to neglect her altogether. Do not, I entreat you, let a mistaken love for your children, make you neglect what you owe to yourself. Remember, that, as the sister of Mrs. Lesly, you owe something to poor Mabel; and you cannot offer, as an excuse for refusing her a refuge, that I am unable or unwilling to allow you to go to the lengths of even romantic generosity. We owe her much for the good she has done our Lucy.
gpt
What! In making her a prude and a saint; there is an end of her chance of settling, I see clearly--
human
I do not see why, for there is nothing exaggerated about her tone of feeling--but I know we always differed in the management of our children; I have grieved enough over it, but it is now too late to remedy our mistakes, we can only trust to circumstances; they, with Mabel's assistance, have worked a striking change in Lucy. There, let us say no more about it, you would be sorry to do an unkind thing, I know.