By degrees this noiseless melancholy undermined the old gentleman, and
he well-nigh tottered.
But one day, calling suddenly on a neighbor with six daughters, he heard
peals of laughter, and found Rosa taking her full share of the senseless
mirth. She pulled up short at sight of him, and colored high; but it
was too late, for he launched a knowing look at her on the spot, and
muttered something about seven foolish virgins.
He took the first opportunity, when they were alone, and told her he was
glad to find she was only dismal at home.
But Rosa had prepared for him. "One can be loud without being gay at
heart," said she, with a lofty, languid air. "I have not forgotten your
last words to HIM. We were to hide our broken hearts from the world. I
try to obey you, dear papa; but, if I had my way, I would never go
into the world at all. I have but one desire now--to end my days in a
convent."
"Please begin them first. A convent! Why, you'd turn it out of window.
You are no more fit to be a nun than--a pauper."
Not having foreseen this facer, Rosa had nothing ready; so she received
it with a sad, submissive, helpless sigh, as who would say, "Hit me,
papa: I have no friend now." So then he was sorry he had been so clever;
and, indeed, there is one provoking thing about "a woman's weakness"--it
is invincible.
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