The Clever Woman of the Family
Page 137"True, but there I think party differences in the Church, and even the
variations between Christian sects are concerned, both being different
ways of viewing the same truth. These may, like the knights in the old
fable, find that both were right about the shield, both have the same
foundation. But where the foundation is not the same, the results of the
teaching will not agree."
"Every one agrees as to morality."
"Yes, but do all give a motive sufficient to enforce the self-denial
that morality entails? Nay, do they show the way to the spiritual
strength needful to the very power of being moral?"
"That is begging the question. The full argument is whether the full
church, say Christian system, exactly as you, as we hold it, is needful
to the perfection of moral observance. I don't say whether I assent, but
need be affected by its teacher's dogmatic or undogmatic system."
"The system for life is generally formed in childhood. Harvest depends
on seed time."
"And after all," added Rachel, "we have no notion whether this poor man
be not precisely of your own opinions, and from their fruits I am sure
you ought to claim them."
"Their blossoms if you please," laughed Ermine. "We have not seen their
fruits yet."
"And I shall take care the fruits are not nipped with the blight of
suspicion," said Rachel, good-humouredly.
However, after driving Ermine home, and seeing her lifted out and
carried into the house by her sister, Rachel did send the carriage back
a sight of the "Clergy List." The name of Mauleverer caught her eye,
but only one instance of it appeared, and he was a cathedral canon, his
presentation dated in 1832, the time at which, judging from appearances,
the object of her search might have been born; besides, he rejoiced in
the simple name of Thomas. But Rachel's search was brought to an abrupt
conclusion by the issue of Mr. Mauleverer himself from the reading-room
within the shop. He bowed and passed by, but Rachel for the life of her
could not hinder a burning colour from spreading to the very tips of
her ears; so certain did she feel that she was insulting him by her
researches, and that he perceived them. She felt absolutely ashamed to
see him the next day, and even in her dreams was revolving speeches
that might prove that though cautious and clear-sighted, she was neither
He came when some morning visitors were at the Homestead, prosy
neighbours whose calls were always a penance to Rachel, and the
butler, either from the manner of the inquiry or not regarding him as
drawing-room company, put him into the dining-room and announced, "Mr.
Mauleverer to see Miss Rachel." Up jumped Miss Rachel, with "You'll
excuse me, it is on business;" and went off highly satisfied that
"the mother" was hindered by politeness from making any attempt at
chaperonage either personally or through Grace, so unnecessary at her
age, for since Colonel Keith's departure, Rachel's age had begun to grow
on her again. She held out her hand as if to atone for her search, but
she found at once that it had been remarked.