But this idea of Brazil is quite a recent
one. If I do go it will be unadvisable for me to take her on this my
first journey. She will remain at her mother's till I come back."
"And I shall not see her before you start?"
He was afraid they would not. His original plan had been, as he had
said, to refrain from bringing her there for some little while--not
to wound their prejudices--feelings--in any way; and for other
reasons he had adhered to it. He would have to visit home in the
course of a year, if he went out at once; and it would be possible
for them to see her before he started a second time--with her.
A hastily prepared supper was brought in, and Clare made further
exposition of his plans. His mother's disappointment at not seeing
the bride still remained with her. Clare's late enthusiasm for Tess
had infected her through her maternal sympathies, till she had almost
fancied that a good thing could come out of Nazareth--a charming
woman out of Talbothays Dairy. She watched her son as he ate.
"Cannot you describe her? I am sure she is very pretty, Angel."
"Of that there can be no question!" he said, with a zest which
covered its bitterness.
"And that she is pure and virtuous goes without question?"
"Pure and virtuous, of course, she is.
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