The Daisy Chain, or Aspirations

Flora, ta

find a me

to your gl

f he thinks me

ting him from perceiving the need of self-control, until the shock that changed the whole tenor of his life, and left him, for the first time, sensible of his own responsibility, but with inveterate habits of heedlessness and hastiness that love alone gave him force to combat. He was now a far gentler man. His younger children had never seen, his elder had long since forgotten, his occasional bursts of temper, but he suffered keenly from their effects, especially as regarded some of his children. Though Richard's timidity had been overcome, and Tom's more serious failures had been remedied, he was not without anxiety, and had a strange unsatisfactory feeling as regarded Flora. He could not feel that he fathomed her! She reminded him of his old Scottish father-in-law, Professor Mackenzie, whom he had never understood, nor, if the truth were known, liked. Her dealings with the La

clear thoughtful eye, and grave intellectual eagle face, lighting into animation with his rare, sweet smile; and Flora, so tall and graceful, and in her white dr

it a plea

ng into the fire, until he took up his candle, and bade them good-night. Dr. May was about to do the same, w

, my

rge Rive

ile. "So that is what he is at, is

, as her father discovered by her tone. "The music was

laughing; "well, I should have thought i

ing down and hesitating, "tha

e to me. I am very glad to spare you, my dea

d Flora, "that you c

surprised at the manner in which her news was received. Each waited for the ot

and on her shoulder, "you do no

against it," said Flora, in a cho

end your life with a man that has not three ideas! not a resource for occupying himself-a regular prey to ennui-one whom you could never

a smile, "we will not talk of it any more to-night. It

seen by ca

ear the li

a-tete-a-tete in the study before breakfast, whe

ping at her door to give her another embrace, and to say "Bles

re, at having had such a position in society offered to her, and expecting that her whole family would share her triumph. Gratified by George Rivers's admiration, she regarded him with favour and complacency; and her habit

e forgave him, when it occurred to her that she was too important, and valuable, to be easily spared; and a tenderness thrilled through her, as she looked at the sleeping Margaret's pale face, and thought of surrendering her and little Daisy to Ethel's keeping. And what would become of the housekeeping? She decided, however, that feelings must not sway her-out of six sisters some must marry, for the good of the res

d not rival her, after his sleepless, anxious night. His looks of affectionate solicitude di

said at last, "h

against it?" said Flo

nything of his character or conduct. Those would be

aid Flora. "I would do no

that I must do right, as far as I can, as well as try to secure your

Flora; "but there may be many

but where are these solid qualitie

lora, in a submissive tone, which had

slike or prejudice of my own! Don't you think I should only rejoice to h

there is an end of it," said Flora, a

ly. Compare him with-I'll not say with Norman-but with Richard, Alan, Mr. Wilmot. Do you think you could rely on him-come to him for a

but, of course, if you dislike it-though, I think,

, we must be assured of his father's consent, for they may very fairly object, since what I can give you is a mere nothing to them. Next, I shall find out what character he bears in his regiment, and wa

I know you will do

der it an engagement, unl

do as yo

k upon her till she came to Margaret, after the schoolroom reading, and he

and she would have gone away, but he called her. "Com

Ethel. "Oh, it is about Flor

he one to be pitie

ean that she

low with no more brains

ot mean it?

left for me but to consent-provided Mr. Rivers does, and he should turn out not to have done anything outra

said Margaret, "and

e. What on earth can

off short, quite dismayed at the emotion she had excited. Dr.

on't have such motives

ora's worldly motives was no novelty to her. They had appeared in too many instance

lain away. "Ethel did

jection. "The truth is, that I have made home so dreary, t

ingly, she exclaimed, "Oh, papa, papa! it was no want of h

king no outward protestation, but with lips compressed, as in her heart of hearts she passed the resolution-that her father should never feel this pain on her account. Leave him who might, she would never forsake him; nothing but the will of Heaven shoul

r. May's calmness, and he rose, saying, "I must go

ou see him?" M

first. Or do you think one of you could talk to her, and get her fairly to conte

d both felt the impenetrability of Flora's n

d Ethel; "and, what is more

r forcible words would

en to heed papa?" said Ethel, with an emphasis of incredulity.

whether it is not our

than mine,

re idea of a remonstrance with Flora, that Ethel could not press her; and, though convinced that her representation would be useless, she owned that

lessons, during which Flora came into the drawing-roo

orman in the dining-room, where he was wont to study, a

ession do

id Ethel; "this terrible man,

know against him? I thought the

one liked the sparkling stream

with much surprise and anxiety, as if he fear

he not a r

till you find some one as clever as

or a woman to marry a man

ink much too highly of tal

y more sensible without it; but, one way or other

says ther

really below the average! you cannot deny

tly, "I cannot see why you think so. I do not see that he is a

tly breathless with am

ean," he said, "that we have not much more to say to Rich

pect, and look up to him. Dear old Ritchie! with his goodness, and earnestness, and r

ted Richard, as a person who proves how lit

that cleverness

objection you ha

goodness that one honours in Richard. Where do we find it in this

re overlooking a great deal of good safe sense and right thinking. I know his opinions are sound, and his motives right. He has

d Ethel ironically. "I wonder if she

a great deal too far. Are such imputations to be made, wherev

y down. "He was very angry with me for saying so. I wis

u will be sorry, if you set y

see anything so agreeable or suitable in this man as to account for Flora's liking, and we do not feel convinced of his being good for much. That makes papa gr

find out the good that is under the surface when you have

idences of his appreciation of all his views. Norman had been struggling so long against his old habit of looking down on Richard, and exalting intellect; and had seen, in his Oxford life, so many ill-effects of the knowledge

nd restored the equanimity that had been slightly disturbed by her father, but it also reassured Ethel and Mar

her opinion. It was Flora's disposition, and the advantages of the match, that weighed most upon her, a

e with diversion, and though he tried to express himself glad, and confident in his son's judgment, there was the

for Flora was real, though clumsily expressed. He explained that he could not sanction the engagement till he should be better informed of the young gentleman's antec