I know you will not break them,
when once given."
"Promise him, Grace," said Lucy, in a low tone, and a voice that, even
at that age, I could perceive was tremulous. "If we promise, we shall
learn everything, and then may have some effect on these headstrong
boys by our advice."
"Boys! _You_ cannot mean, Lucy, that Rupert is not to be a
clergyman--your father's assistant; that Rupert means to be a sailor,
too?"
"One never knows what boys will do. Let us promise them, dear; then we
can better judge."
"I do" promise you, Miles, "said my sister, in a voice so solemn as
almost to frighten me.
"And I, Miles," added Lucy; but it was so low, I had to lean forward
to catch the syllables.
"This is honest and right,"--it was honest, perhaps, but very
wrong,--"and it convinces me that you are both reasonable, and will be
of use to us. Rupert and I have both made up our minds, and intend to
be sailors."
Exclamations followed from both girls, and another long silence
succeeded.
"As for the law, hang all law!" I continued, hemming, and determined
to speak like a man. "I never heard of a Wallingford who was a
lawyer."
"But you have _both_ heard of Hardinges who were clergymen," said
Grace, endeavouring to smile, though the expression of her countenance
was so painful that even now I dislike to recall it.
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