I am weary of my lonely useless existence here,
and eager to make my life more happy and more useful, in the household
of all others in which I should like most to have a place.
If you will look again, you will see that I have these personal
considerations still to urge before I finish my letter.
You don't know your brother and his wife as well as I do, if you doubt
their answer. I believe they have courage enough and heart enough to
say Yes.'
Henry submitted without being convinced.
He was a man who disliked all eccentric departures from custom and routine;
and he felt especially suspicious of the change proposed in the life
of Agnes. With new interests to occupy her mind, she might be less
favourably disposed to listen to him, on the next occasion when
he urged his suit. The influence of the 'lonely useless existence'
of which she complained, was distinctly an influence in his favour.
While her heart was empty, her heart was accessible.
But with his nieces in full possession of it, the clouds of doubt
overshadowed his prospects. He knew the sex well enough to keep
these purely selfish perplexities to himself.
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