If he had come back to earth, if some one had said to
her, "He is here," she would have been far more embarrassed than
delighted. The worldly advantages built upon the extinction of a great
love! Sophia could contemplate them without a blush.
She came forward, shivering slightly, and stirred the fire. "How cold
and dreary you are! Mother, why don't you cheer up and do something? It
would be better for you than moping on the sofa."
"Suppose Julius had died six weeks ago, would you think of 'cheering
up,' Sophia?"
"Charlotte, what a shameful thing to say!"
"Precisely what you have just said to mother."
"Supposing Julius dead! I never heard such a cruel thing. I dare say it
would delight you."
"No, it would not; for Julius is not fit to die."
"Mother, I will not be insulted in my own house in such a way. Speak to
Charlotte, or I must tell Julius."
"What have you come to say, Sophia?"
"I came to talk pleasantly, to see you, and"--
"You saw me an hour or two since, and were very rude and unkind. But if
you regret it, my dear, it is forgiven."
"I do not know what there is to forgive. But really, Charlotte and you
seem so completely unhappy and dissatisfied here, that I should think
you would make a change."
"Do you mean that you wish me to go?"
"If you put words into my mouth."
"It is not worth while affecting either regret or offence, Sophia. How
soon do you wish us to leave?"
The dowager mistress of Sandal-Side had stood up as she asked the
question.
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