The brethren took leave of me with cordial kindness; and as for the
sisterhood, I had serious thoughts of kissing them all round, but
forbore to do so, because, in all such general salutations, the
penance is fully equal to the pleasure. So I kissed none of them;
and nobody, to say the truth, seemed to expect it.
"Do you wish me," I said to Zenobia, "to announce in town, and at the
watering-places, your purpose to deliver a course of lectures on the
rights of women?"
"Women possess no rights," said Zenobia, with a half-melancholy smile;
"or, at all events, only little girls and grandmothers would have
the force to exercise them."
She gave me her hand freely and kindly, and looked at me, I thought,
with a pitying expression in her eyes; nor was there any settled
light of joy in them on her own behalf, but a troubled and passionate
flame, flickering and fitful.
"I regret, on the whole, that you are leaving us," she said; "and all
the more, since I feel that this phase of our life is finished, and
can never be lived over again. Do you know, Mr. Coverdale, that I
have been several times on the point of making you my confidant, for
lack of a better and wiser one? But you are too young to be my
father confessor; and you would not thank me for treating you like
one of those good little handmaidens who share the bosom secrets of a
tragedy-queen."
"I would, at least, be loyal and faithful," answered I; "and would
counsel you with an honest purpose, if not wisely.
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