Even her unimaginative nature began to tremble on the verge of
superstition. Twice, had the subtle force of circumstances defeated
her, in the attempt to meddle with the contemplated marriage of her
son. By means of the music-master, she had planned to give Ovid jealous
reasons for doubting Carmina--and she had failed. By means of the
governess, she had planned to give Carmina jealous reasons for doubting
Ovid--and she had failed. When some people talked of Fatality, were
they quite such fools as she had hitherto supposed them to be? It would
be a waste of time to inquire. What next step could she take?
Urged by the intolerable sense of defeat to find reasons for still
looking hopefully to the future, the learned Mrs. Gallilee lowered
herself to the intellectual level of the most ignorant servant in the
house. The modern Muse of Science unconsciously opened her mind to the
vulgar belief in luck. She said to herself, as her kitchen-maid might
have said, We will see what comes of it, the third time!
Benjulia's letter was among the other letters waiting on the table. She
took it up, and read it again.
In her present frame of mind, to find her thoughts occupied by the
doctor, was to be reminded of Ovid's strange allusion to his
professional colleague, on the day of his departure.
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