Miss Dunstable, with
all her aptitude for mirth, and we may almost fairly say for frolic,
was in no way inclined to ridicule religion or anything which she
thought to appertain to it. It may be presumed that among such things
she did not include Mrs. Proudie, as she was willing enough to laugh
at that lady; but Mark, had he known her better, might have been sure
that she would have sat out his sermon with perfect propriety.
As it was, however, he did feel considerable uneasiness; and in the
morning he got up early, with the view of seeing what might be done
in the way of emendation. He cut out those parts which referred most
specially to the islands,--he rejected altogether those names over
which they had all laughed together so heartily,--and he inserted a
string of general remarks, very useful, no doubt, which he flattered
himself would rob his sermon of all similarity to Harold Smith's
lecture. He had, perhaps, hoped, when writing it, to create some
little sensation; but now he would be quite satisfied if it passed
without remark. But his troubles for that Sunday were destined to
be many. It had been arranged that the party at the hotel should
breakfast at eight and start at half-past eight punctually, so as
to enable them to reach Chaldicotes in ample time to arrange their
dresses before they went to church.
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