Above all, she desired that it should be concealed from Solivet. She
was a prudent woman, that poor mother of mine, and she was afraid of
her son's chastising what she called presumption, and thus embroiling
himself with the Parliament people. I said that Solivet had no right
over me, and that I had not desire to tell him, though I had felt
that she was my mother and ought to be warned that I never would be
given to any man save Clement Darpent; and Eustace said that though
he regretted the putting himself in opposition to my mother, he
should consider it as a sin to endeavour to make me marry one man,
while I loved another to whom I was plighted. But he said that there
was no need to press the affair, and that he would put a stop to
Darpent's frequenting the house, since it only grieved my mother and
might bring him into danger. He would, as my mother wished, keep out
attachment as a secret, and would at present take no steps if I were
unmolested.
In private Eustace showed me that this was all he could do, and
counseled me to put forward no plea, but to persist in my simple
refusal, lest I should involve Clement Darpent in danger. Had not
Solivet ground his teeth and said order should be taken if he could
believe his sister capable of any unworthy attachment? 'And
remember,' said Eustace, 'Darpent is not in good odour with either
party, and there is such a place as the Bastille.'
I asked almost in despair if he saw any end to it, or any hope, to
which he said there always was hope.
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