Sentiments like these, coming to Irene as they did while she was

yet chafing under a recent collision with her husband, and while the

question of submission was yet an open one, were near proving a

quick-match to a slumbering mine in her spirit, and had not her

husband been in a more passive state than usual, there might have

been an explosion which would have driven them asunder with such

terrific force that reunion must have been next to impossible.

It would have been well if their effects had died with the passing

away of that immediate danger. But as we think so we incline to act.

Our sentiments are our governors; and of all imperious tyrants,

false sentiments are the most ruthless. The beautiful, the true, the

good they trample out of the heart with a fiery malignity that knows

no touch of pity; for the false is the bitter enemy of the true and

makes with it no terms of amity.

The coldness which had followed their reconciliation might have

gradually given way before the warmth of genuine love, if Irene had

been left to the counsels of her own heart; if there had been no

enemy to her peace, like Mrs. Talbot, to throw in wild, vague

thoughts of oppression and freedom among the half-developed opinions

which were forming in her mind. As it was, a jealous scrutiny of

words and actions took the place of that tender confidence which was

coming back to Irene's heart, and she became watchfully on the

alert; not, as she might have been, lovingly ministrant.

Only a few days were permitted to elapse after the call of this

unsafe friend before Irene returned the visit, and spent two hours

with her, conning over the subject of woman's rights and woman's

wrongs. Mrs. Talbot introduced her to writers on the vexed question,

who had touched the theme with argument, sarcasm, invective and

bold, brilliant, specious generalities; read to her from their

books; commented on their deductions, and uttered sentiments on the

subject of reform and resistance as radical as the most extreme.

"We must agitate--we must act--we must do good deeds of valor and

self-sacrifice for our sex," she said, in her enthusiastic way.

"Every woman, whether of high or low condition, of humble powers or

vigorous intellect, has a duty to perform, and she is false to the

honor and rights of her sex if she do not array herself on the side

of freedom. You have great responsibilities resting upon you, my

young friend. I say it soberly, even solemnly. Responsibilities

which may not be disregarded without evil consequences to yourself

and others. You are young, clear-thoughted and resolute--have will,

purpose and endurance. You are married to a young man destined, I

think, to make his mark in the world; but, as I have said before, a

false education has given him erroneous ideas on this great and

important subject. Now what is your duty?"




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024