How slight were
the grounds for imputing such stern prudence to Gerard Maule both the
ladies felt;--but it had become essential to do something; the young
people were engaged to each other, and a manner of life must be
suggested, discussed, and as far as possible arranged. Lady Chiltern
was useful at such work, having a practical turn of mind, and
understanding well the condition of life for which it was necessary
that her friend should prepare herself. The lover was not vicious,
he neither drank nor gambled, nor ran himself hopelessly in debt.
He was good-humoured and tractable, and docile enough when nothing
disagreeable was asked from him. He would have, he said, no objection
to live at Maule Abbey if Adelaide liked it. He didn't believe much
in farming, but would consent at Adelaide's request to be the owner
of bullocks. He was quite ready to give up hunting, having already
taught himself to think that the very few good runs in a season
were hardly worth the trouble of getting up before daylight all the
winter.
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