Personal size and mental sorrow have certainly no necessary

proportions. A large bulky figure has as good a right to be in deep

affliction, as the most graceful set of limbs in the world. But, fair

or not fair, there are unbecoming conjunctions, which reason will

patronize in vain--which taste cannot tolerate--which ridicule will

seize.

The Admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room

with his hands behind him, being called to order by his wife, now came

up to Captain Wentworth, and without any observation of what he might

be interrupting, thinking only of his own thoughts, began with-"If you had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick, you

would have been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson and her

daughters."

"Should I? I am glad I was not a week later then."

The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry. He defended himself;

though professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies on

board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit, which a few

hours might comprehend.

"But, if I know myself," said he, "this is from no want of gallantry

towards them. It is rather from feeling how impossible it is, with all

one's efforts, and all one's sacrifices, to make the accommodations on

board such as women ought to have. There can be no want of gallantry,

Admiral, in rating the claims of women to every personal comfort high,

and this is what I do. I hate to hear of women on board, or to see

them on board; and no ship under my command shall ever convey a family

of ladies anywhere, if I can help it."

This brought his sister upon him.

"Oh! Frederick! But I cannot believe it of you.--All idle

refinement!--Women may be as comfortable on board, as in the best house

in England. I believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and

I know nothing superior to the accommodations of a man-of-war. I

declare I have not a comfort or an indulgence about me, even at

Kellynch Hall," (with a kind bow to Anne), "beyond what I always had in

most of the ships I have lived in; and they have been five altogether."

"Nothing to the purpose," replied her brother. "You were living with

your husband, and were the only woman on board."

"But you, yourself, brought Mrs Harville, her sister, her cousin, and

three children, round from Portsmouth to Plymouth. Where was this

superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?"




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024