"So it will," said Gerard. "I have got very few of my own.
But my daughter will be able to fill the shelves in time, I
warrant."
"Your daughter--she is coming to live with you?"
"Yes; that is the reason why Stephen quits us. He only
remained here until Sybil could keep my house, and that happy
day is at hand."
"That is a great compensation for the loss of your friend,"
said Egremont.
"And yet she talks of flitting," said Gerard, in a rather
melancholy tone. "She hankers after the cloister. She has
passed a still, sweet life in the convent here; the Superior
is the sister of my employer and a very saint on earth; and
Sybil knows nothing of the real world except its sufferings.
No matter," he added more cheerfully; "I would not have her
take the veil rashly, but if I lose her it may be for the
best. For the married life of a woman of our class in the
present condition of our country is a lease of woe," he added
shaking his head, "slaves, and the slaves of slaves? Even
woman's spirit cannot stand against it; and it can bear
against more than we can, master."
"Your daughter is not made for the common cares of life," said
Egremont.
"We'll not talk of them," said Gerard.
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