John Caldigate eBook

If there were any words capable of conveying horror to the mind of the old banker, they were convents, priests, and papacy,—­of which the lawyer was well aware when speaking thus of his sister.  Mrs. Bolton was certainly not addicted to papistical observances, nor was she at all likely to recommend the seclusion of her daughter in a convent.  All her religious doctrines were those of the Low Church.  But she had a tendency to arrive at similar results by other means.  She was so afraid of the world, the flesh, and the devil, that she would fain shut up her child so as to keep her from the reach of all evil.  Vowed celibacy was abominable to her, because it was the resource of the Roman Catholics; and because she had been taught to believe that convent-walls were screens for hiding unheard-of wickedness.  But yet, on behalf of her child, she desired seclusion from the world, fancying that so and so only might security be ensured.  Superstition was as strong with her as with any self-flagellated nun.  Fasting, under that name, she held in abhorrence.  But all sensual gratifications were wicked in her sight.  She would allow all home indulgences to her daughter, each under some separate plea,—­constrained to do so by excessive love; but she did so always in fear and trembling, lest she was giving some foothold to Satan.  All of which Robert Bolton understood better even than did his father when he gave the above advice in reference to this lover.

Chapter XIX

Men Are So Wicked

A month had passed by since Caldigate’s interview with Mrs. Bolton, and nothing had as yet been decided either for him or against him at Chesterton And the fact that no absolute decision had been made against him may be taken as having been very much in his favour.  But of those who doubted, and doubting, had come to no decision, Mrs. Bolton herself was by no means one.  She was as firm as ever in her intention that the idea should not even be suggested to her daughter.  Nor, up to this time, had our hero’s name been even mentioned to Hester Bolton.

About a week after Caldigate’s visit to Chesterton in the early days of August, he wrote to Robert Bolton saying that he was going into Scotland for a month, and that he trusted that during that time his proposition might be considered.  On his return he would take the liberty of calling on Mr. Bolton at the bank.  In the meantime he hoped that inquiries might be made as to his position in the world, and in order that such inquiries might be effectual he gave a reference to his man of business in London.  To this letter Robert Bolton sent no answer; but he went up to London, and did make the inquiries as suggested, and consulted his brother the barrister, and his sister-in-law the barrister’s wife.  They were both of opinion that John Caldigate was behaving well, and were of opinion also that something should be done to liberate Hester from the thraldom of her mother.  ’I