"It is Rosamond. I'm sure I don't dispute."

"Listen, Cecil!" he said. "I can see that your position may be
trying, in these close quarters with a younger brother's wife with
more age and rank than yourself."

"That is nothing. An Irish earl, and a Charnock of Dunstone!"

"Dunstone will be more respected if you keep it in the background,"
he said, holding in stronger words with great difficulty. "Once for
all, you have your own place and duties, and Rosamond has hers. If
you meddle in them, nothing but annoyance can come of it; and
remember, I cannot be appealed to in questions between you and her.
Julius and I have gone on these nine-and-twenty years without a
cloud between us, and I'm sure you would not wish to bring one now."

Wherewith he left her bewildered. She did not perceive that he was
too impartial for a lover, but she had a general sense that she had
come into a rebellious world, where Dunstone and Dunstone's daughter
were of no account, and her most cherished notions disputed. What
was the lady of the manor to do but to superintend the church,
parsonage, and parish generally? Not her duty? She had never heard
of such a thing, nor did she credit it. Papa would come home, make
these degenerate Charnocks hear reason, and set all to rights.




CHAPTER VI