"
"Oh, no, I could not give up my Ashurst Sundays," answers
Maria, fidgeting amongst her cups and saucers; "I have too
many interests here, the schools, and the church--and the
preaching--not that the Rector's sermons are always very
lively; and then I like chanting and intoning."
"And can you not convert the Doctor?"
"I think that would be impossible; Dr. Vavasour always held to
his own opinions. Will you have some more tea?"
"No more, thank you. I should have thought, Miss Leslie, you
might have converted any one; I cannot fancy any arguments you
might use being other than irresistible."
"Mr. Morris," said Mrs. Vavasour, breaking in upon this little
tete-a-tete, "have you seen those curious spiders that my
brother brought home from South America? You might fetch Uncle
Horace's case, Madge, and show them to Mr. Morris; they are
worth looking at, I assure you."
An hour later this little party had dispersed. Mr. Morris had
taken leave, Maria had gone to dress for dinner, Madge to her
school-room; Dr. Vavasour and his wife were left alone.
"I had a letter from Horace this afternoon," she said, taking
it out of her pocket, and giving it to the Doctor to read.
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