Griff, astounded at the resolute tone of
one whom he considered as the most good-natured of men, had answered
hotly and proudly that he should accept no dismissal except from
Ellen herself, and that he had done no more than was expected of any
young man of position and estate. On the other indictment he
scorned any defence, and the two had parted in mutual indignation.
He had, however, shown himself so much distressed at the threat of
being deprived of Ellen, that neither my father nor Clarence had the
least doubt of his genuine attachment to her, nor that his
attentions to Lady Peacock were more than the effect of old habit
and love of amusement, and that they had been much exaggerated. He
scouted the bare idea of preferring her to Ellen; and, in his second
interview with my father, was ready to make any amount of promises
of reformation, provided his engagement were continued.
This was on the last evening before leaving town, and he came to the
coach-office looking so pale, jaded, and unhappy that Parson Frank's
kind heart was touched; and in answer to a muttered 'I've been ten
thousand fools, sir, but if you will overlook it I will try to be
worthy of her,' he made some reply that could be construed into, 'If
you keep to that, all may yet be well. I'll talk to her mother and
grandfather.'
Perhaps this was cruel kindness, for, as we well knew, Mrs.
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