'Remember,' said Frank, 'those who mistrust themselves are the most
trustworthy.'
'No, Frank, it is not only the feeling of the greatness of the
charge, it is the knowledge that we are not fit for it--that our own
faults have forfeited such happiness.'
Again Lily was choked with tears.
'Well,' said Frank, 'we shall judge at Beechcroft. At all events,
one of those aunts is to be respected.'
Eleanor added her 'Very right.'
This kindness on the part of her brother-in-law, which Lily felt to
be undeserved, caused her tears to flow faster, and Eleanor, seeing
her quite overcome, led her out of the room, helped her to undress,
and put her to bed, with tenderness such as Lily had never
experienced from her, excepting in illness.
In spite of bitter regrets, when she thought of the happiness it
would have been to keep her little nephew, and of importunate and
disappointing hopes that Mrs. Ridley would find it impossible to
receive him, Lily felt that she had done right, and had made a real
sacrifice for duty's sake. No more was said on the subject, and Lily
was very grateful to Eleanor for making no inquiries, which she could
not have answered without blaming Emily.
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