Page:Arminell, a social romance (1896).djvu/273

Rh "I give you pain, papa?"

"Very much pain indeed."

"And you think it would make you happier if I left Orleigh, and that it would also be better for me?"

"I do, indeed."

"And six months, you suppose, will cure me of my wilfulness?"

"I do not say that; that depends on yourself."

"Anyhow, for six months you will have ease of mind if I am away from you, and in good hands?"

"In good hands, certainly. Hermione's house is a very suitable school. You will there be brought to understand that deference is due to your superiors, consideration for the feelings of others, respect for opinions that differ from your own, and especially that regard is to be had for les convenances, without which social life would go to pieces, as a chain of pearls that has lost its connecting links. Les convenances may be, and indeed are, in themselves nothing, but they hold society together. You have been left too much to yourself or with unsatisfactory governesses. You must be taught your proper place. You must go into the stream of social life, and feel the current and its irresistidleirresistible [sic] force."

"Very well, papa, I will go."

"Your aunt will be sure to write to-day; we shall have a letter to-morrow."

Arminell said nothing. Her brows were knit and her lips set.

"I am sorry we have to give up the trip to Switzerland; it might have been pleasant, had we been all together, but I must deny myself that. The Irish property has brought in nothing; and I have lost money in other ways; now I must set the men to work on the new road—that is, if they will condescend to make it."

On reaching the house, Lord Lamerton went at once to