Besides, he has a silly crotchet in his head now.
He thinks that if he tried to marry her it would look as if he had
given up his religion for her."
"Did he?"
"Bless you, no. He was simply led into the Clergy House by being fond
of a friend; one of those men that young men and old women fall in love
with. Maurice never belonged there at all. I saw that the first day he
came to stay with me at the beginning of the winter. I was abroad while
he was in college, so I never knew him except most casually before."
"But if he really cares for her he'll get over those obstacles."
"If she cares for him, he must be made to."
"I am convinced that she does," Mrs. Frostwinch said. "I am so glad you
speak well of him. I do so want Bee to be happy."
There was a long silence in the chamber. The two friends sat wrapped in
thought. They had seen so much of life, they had had so many blessings
of fortune, culture, position, wealth, that there was a grim irony in
their sitting here helpless in the face of coming death. To their
reverie, moreover, the mention of love could not but give color. No
woman has ever come to speak of love entirely unmoved, though her heart
may have been deadened or crushed beyond the power of thrilling or
quickening at any other thought.
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