He then spoke to his father, who wished him to take a little more
time for consideration, and he had accordingly waited till the
summer. Lily longed to know his plans for the future, and presently
he went on to say that his father wished him to leave the army, live
at home, and let Alethea be the head of the household.
'Oh, William! it is perfect. There is an end of all our troubles.
It is as if a great black curtain was drawn up.'
'They say such plans never succeed,' said William; 'but we mean to
prove the contrary.'
'How good it will be for the children!' said Lily.
'Oh! why had we not such a guide at first?'
'She has all that Eleanor wants,' said William.
'My follies were not Eleanor's fault,' said Lily; 'but I do think I
should not have been quite so silly if I had known Alethea from the
first.'
It was not in the power of William himself to say more in her praise
than Lily. In the eagerness of their conversation they walked
slowly, and as they were crossing the last field the dinner-bell
rang. As they quickened their steps they saw Mr. Mohun looking at
his wheat. Lily told him how late it was.
'There,' said he, 'I am always looking after other people's affairs.
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