CHAPTER XXXII 468
" Would it comfort , or would it wound you to have a similar painting ? Tell me that . When you are at Madagascar , or at the Cape , or in India , would it be a consolation to have that memento in your possession ? or would the sight of it bring recollections calculated to enervate and distress ?"
He now furtively raised his eyes : he glanced at me , irresolute , disturbed : he again surveyed the picture .
" That I should like to have it is certain : whether it would be judicious or wise is another question ."
Since I had ascertained that Rosamond really preferred him , and that her father was not likely to oppose the match , I -- less exalted in my views than St . John -- had been strongly disposed in my own heart to advocate their union . It seemed to me that , should he become the possessor of Mr . Oliver ' s large fortune , he might do as much good with it as if he went and laid his genius out to wither , and his strength to waste , under a tropical sun . With this persuasion I now answered -
" As far as I can see , it would be wiser and more judicious if you were to take to yourself the original at once ."
By this time he had sat down : he had laid the picture on the table before him , and with his brow supported on both hands , hung fondly over it . I discerned he was now neither angry nor shocked at my audacity . I saw even that to be thus frankly addressed on a subject he had deemed unapproachable -- to hear it thus freely handled -- was beginning to be felt by him as a new pleasure -- an unhoped-for relief . Reserved people often really need the frank discussion of their sentiments and griefs more than the expansive . The sternest-seeming stoic is human after all ; and to " burst " with boldness and good-will into " the silent sea " of their souls is often to confer on them the first of obligations .
" She likes you , I am sure ," said I , as I stood behind his chair , " and her father respects you . Moreover , she is a sweet girl -- rather thoughtless ; but you would have sufficient thought for both yourself and her . You ought to