But it chilled
them to see themselves in the glass, for instead of being vast and
indivisible they were really very small and separate, the size of the
glass leaving a large space for the reflection of other things.
Chapter XXIII
But no brush was able to efface completely the expression of happiness,
so that Mrs. Ambrose could not treat them when they came downstairs
as if they had spent the morning in a way that could be discussed
naturally. This being so, she joined in the world's conspiracy to
consider them for the time incapacitated from the business of life,
struck by their intensity of feeling into enmity against life, and
almost succeeded in dismissing them from her thoughts.
She reflected that she had done all that it was necessary to do in
practical matters. She had written a great many letters, and had
obtained Willoughby's consent. She had dwelt so often upon Mr. Hewet's
prospects, his profession, his birth, appearance, and temperament, that
she had almost forgotten what he was really like. When she refreshed
herself by a look at him, she used to wonder again what he was like, and
then, concluding that they were happy at any rate, thought no more about
it.
She might more profitably consider what would happen in three years'
time, or what might have happened if Rachel had been left to explore the
world under her father's guidance.
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