This, Lily, I can tell you, that the Baron always considered Emily's
government as a kind of experiment, and so perhaps he will not be so
grievously disappointed as you expect. Besides, I have a strong
suspicion that Emily's own nature has quite as much to do with her
present conduct as your principle, which, after all, did not live
very long.'
'Just long enough to unsettle me, and make it more difficult for me
to get any way right,' said Lily. 'Oh! dear, what would I give to
force backward the wheels of time!'
'But as you cannot, you had better try to brighten up your energies.
Come, you know I cannot tell you not to look back, but I can tell you
not to look forward. Nay, I do tell you literally, to look forward,
out of the window, instead of back into this hot room. Do not you
think the plane-tree there looks very inviting? Suppose we transport
Emily's drapery there, and I want to refresh my memory with Spenser;
I do not think I have touched him since plane-tree time last year.'
'I believe Spenser and the plane-tree are inseparably woven together
in your mind,' said Lily.
'Yes, ever since the time when I first met with the book. I remember
well roving over the bookcase, and meeting with it, and taking it out
there, for fear Eleanor should see me and tell mama.
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