"It ought not to be
broached to her!"
But Julius--when she stated it to him rather less broadly, but still
saying that she did not know whether she could bear the sight of
Cecil, except when she was before her eyes, and how could his mother
endure her at all--did not see it in the same light. He thought
Sirenwood gave duties to Cecil, and that she ought not to be
hindered from fulfilling them. And he said his mother was a large-
minded woman, and not likely to have that personal bitterness
towards Cecil that both the ladies seemed to expect, as her rival in
her son's affections, and the means of his unhappiness and death.
He was right; Mrs. Poynsett was touched by finding that Cecil clung
to them rather than to her sublime family, and especially by the
design as to little Raymond, though she said that must never be
mentioned; nothing must bind so young a creature as Cecil, who
really did not know what love was at all.
"She is afraid the sight of her is distressing to you," said
Rosamond.
"Poor child, why should she?" said Mrs. Poynsett.
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