“No,” said Louis, upon whom his betrothed and her sister were hanging eagerly, comforting and persuading--“no; I am not in a worse position. It stings me at the moment, I confess; but I am filled with contempt for the man who insults me, and his words lose their power. I could almost be seduced to stay when he begins to struggle with me after this downright fashion; but you are perfectly right for all that, and within a few days I must go away.”
“A few days? O Louis!” cried Marian, clinging to his arm.
“Yes; I have a good mind to say to-morrow, to enhance my own value,” said Louis. “I am tempted--ay, both to go and stay--for sake of the clinging of these little hands. Never mind, our mother will come home all the sooner; and what do you suppose I will do?”
“I think indeed, Louis, you should speak to the Rector,” said Agnes, with a little anxiety. “O no; it is very cruel of you, and you are quite wrong; he did not mean to be very kind in that mocking way--he meant what he said--he wanted to do you service; and so he would, and vindicate you when you were gone, if you only would cease to be so very grand for two minutes, and let him know.”
“Am I so very grand?” said Louis, with a momentary pique. “I have nothing to do with your rectors--I know what he meant, whatever he might say.”
“It is a great deal more than he does himself, I am sure of that,” said Agnes with a puzzled air. “He means what he says, but he does not always know what he means; and neither do I.”
Marian tried a trembling little laugh at her sister’s perplexity, but they were rather too much moved for laughing, and it did not do.
“Now, I will tell you what my plan is,” said Louis. “I do not know what he thinks of me, nor do I expect to find his opinion very favourable; but as that is all I can look for anywhere, it will be the better probation for me,” he added, with a rising colour and an air of haughtiness. “I will not enlist, Marian. I have no longer any dreams of the marshal’s _baton_ in the soldier’s knapsack. I give up rank and renown to those who can strive for them. You must be content with such honour as a man can have in his own person, Marian. When I leave you, I will go at once to your father.”