'Your
father sees how it is, and won't let it make a split between us. I
believe that not seeing as much of your sister as usual is one of my
poor lassie's troubles, but it may be best--it may be best.'
He lingered talking, unwilling to tear himself away, and ended by
disclosing, almost at unawares, that Ellen had held out for a long
time, would not understand nor take in what she was told, accepted
nothing on Lester authority, declared she understood all about Lady
Peacock, and showed a strength of resistance and independence of
view that had quite startled her parents, by proving how far their
darling had gone from them in heart. But they still held her by the
bonds of obedience; and, by dealing with her conscience, her mother
had obtained from her a piteous little note -
'MY DEAR GRIFFITH--I am afraid it is true that you have not always
seemed to be doing right, and papa and mamma forbid our going on as
we are. You know I cannot be disobedient. It would not bring a
blessing on you. So I must break off, though--'
The 'though' could be read through an erasure, followed by the
initials, E. M. F.--as if the dismal conclusion had been felt to be
only too true--and there followed the postscript, 'Forgive me, and,
if we are patient, it may come right.'
This letter was displayed, when, on the ensuing evening, it brought
Griff down in towering indignation, and trying to prove the coercion
that must have been exercised to extract even thus much from his
darling.
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