One of Our Conquerors - World eBook Library

One of Our Conquerors
Dartrey said, shrugging: ‘She needn’t do that.’
‘So we may say. You’re dealing with Nesta Victoria. Spare
me a contest with that girl, I undertake to manage any man
or woman living.’
‘When the thing to be done is thought right by her.’
‘But can we always trust her judgement, my dear Dartrey?’
‘In this case, she would argue, that her resolution to keep
her promise would bind or help to bind Marsett to fulfil his
engagement.’
‘Odd, her mother has turned dead round in favour of that
fellow Dudley Sowerby! I don’t complain; it suits; but one
thinks—eh?—women!’
‘Well, yes, one thinks or should think, that if you insist on
having women rooted to the bed of the river, they’ll veer
with the tides, like water-weeds, and no wonder.’
‘Your heterodoxy on that subject is a mania, Dartrey. We
can’t have women independent.’
‘Then don’t be exclaiming about their vagaries.’
Victor mused: ‘It’s wonderful: that little girl of mine!—
good height now: but what a head she has! Oh, she’ll listen
to reason: only mark what I say:—with that quiet air of hers,
the husband, if a young fellow, will imagine she’s the most
docile of wives in the world. And as to wife, I’m not of the
contrary opinion. But qua individual female, supposing her
to have laid fast hold of an idea of duty, it’s he who’ll have to
turn the corner second, if they’re to trot in the yoke together.
Or it may be an idea of service to a friend—or to her sex!
That Mrs. Marsett says she feels for—”bleeds” for her sex.
The poor woman didn’t show to advantage with me, because
she was in a fever to please:—talks in jerks, hot phrases. She
holds herself well. At the end of the dinner she behaved better.
Odd, you can teach women with hints and a lead. But
Marsett ‘s Marsett to the end. Rather touching!—the poor
fellow said: Deuce of a bad look-out for me if Judith doesn’t
have a child! First-rate sportsman, I hear. He should have
thought of his family earlier. You know, Dartrey, the case is
to be argued for the family as well. You won’t listen. And for
Society too! Off you go.’
A battery was opened on that wall of composite.
‘Ah, well,’ said Victor. ‘But I may have to beg your help, as
to the so-called promise to stand at the altar. I don’t mention
it upstairs.’
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