Page:Glenarvon (Volume 1).djvu/75

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

even the son for whom so much had been sacrificed, afforded her no consolation.

Buchanan estranged himself from her confidence, and appeared jealous of her authority.—He refused to aid her in the sole remaining wish of her heart; and absolutely declined accepting the hand of Calantha. "Shall only one will," he said, "be studied and followed; shall Calantha's caprices and desires be daily attended to; and shall I see the best years of my life pass without pleasure or profit for me? I know—I see your intention; and, pardon me, dearest mother, if I already bitterly lament it. Is Calantha a companion fitted for one of my character; and, even if hereafter it is your resolve to unite me to her, must I now be condemned to years of inactivity on her account. Give me my liberty; send me to college, there to finish my education; and permit me to remain in England for some years.

Lady Margaret saw, in the cool deter-