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Serafina said, “That is all very well, when we speak of spaniels and pugs, sir, but what of men? Surely they are not to be trained and shaped in such a way – nor do they find contentment so easily as idle pets, or running on the heath.”

“Well, no,” and at that, his smile returned. “Yet, perhaps, Miss Tooting, the analogy holds. We speak of the training up of a child, do we not? And I would certainly not seek to subject the daughter of a gentleman to the rigours of a boy’s schooling, nor expect a spirited lad to sit quietly sewing cushions, or… or…” 

Like most gentlemen, his imagination failed him when trying to imagine the details of a gentlewoman’s education. 

“Or what, Mr Thornton?” she said, but she did not say it waspishly.

“I confess, Miss Tooting, I do not know.”

“The schooling of many girls is sadly lacking, I fear. But I trust you believe most of them capable of sensible thought when presented with the opportunity to use their minds. Indeed, I believe we has spoken of this before – that idleness and intellectual neglect is the great curse of most gentlewomen. Why should it be the preserve of young men to learn Latin or Greek?”

“I fear those were not the rigours to which I referred.”

It took a moment for understanding to reach her, and she thought, with a pang, of her younger brother - no longer in the schoolroom, but being tutored in the town, preparing to go away to school.

“What I meant to say is that it is… regrettably necessary to curb the energies and… habits… of young gentlemen, in a way that would be neither fitting, nor needful for their sisters. Naturally, the difference of education between the sexes should not be so vast as it is, but the environment in which they are taught, the social rules and roles which they must learn… those, you must see, are entirely distinct.”

Serafina supposed he did better than Rousseau on the subject, and with that, she must be satisfied. 

As they talked on about the topic – the education of gentlewomen, the relation of the sexes, the shocking paucity of education for the poor – she felt a great well of peace opening up within her, and she began to imagine the long, contented evenings of their married life. 

For, yes, Richard would still need to work hard, long days, and she herself would labour too, labour without all of the comforts she took so much for granted - but they would have this communion between them. What was more, as they built a small prosperity between them, she would be able to turn that great contentment out on to the world, and they would both do good towards their neighbours, their communities. 

Without Richard, she knew, she was flighty, prone to idealism, and fancies which did her little credit. With him, even where they disagreed, she felt instead a great comfort, a whole and steady purpose. 

“But surely, sir,” she said, in her mind already leading her maid through the basics of the alphabet, “you must see that there is a great cruelty in limiting the education of the destitute only to the barest tutelage. Yes, naturally they must be able to sign their names and read their prayers, but making that the height of their ambitions surely denies them the greater consolations of spiritual poetry, or philosophy?”

“More likely it will make them dissatisfied with their lot. I… I know too well from my own life how harmful it can be if one’s education and one’s prospects do not sit in accordance with one another. One is altogether too aware of what one has lost.”

She had not meant to touch on such painful topics for him. 

“Your pardon, Mr Thornton.”

“Please, it is of no matter.”

“All the same, sir, could not that knowledge, that dissatisfaction not be the very driving force which leads an individual to better himself? Just as …” she blushed, “Well, sir, for all your hardships, you are no longer an impecunious clerk.”

He smiled down at her, but sadly. “Miss Tooting, your sentiments, as ever, do you credit. Although I would not flatter myself as exceptional, indeed, while I have striven only to repay my benefactors for all the kindnesses they have shown me… It remains that one must be an able student, a driven and ambitious man to be able to improve one’s lot. One of the greatest shames in our society is that such types are often denied the opportunities to help themselves, and to prosper as they should. But despite this, regardless of their circumstances, men with sufficient focus, men willing to apply themselves will make the best of whatever circumstances in which they find themselves. Without such discipline, then it is as we discussed earlier - too much education, too much liberality can only bring mischief, resentment, and idleness. That is why we must ensure these schools teach only those of good character, of -” 

“I must say, it is very pleasing to encounter such sensible conversation between young people,” the Reverend Mr Dunning interrupted. “I fear I have overheard altogether too much of cockfighting and the fashion in bonnets for one man this evening.”

“Mr Thornton has no taste for such sports, sir.”

“And Miss Tooting cares nothing for bonnets?” asked Dr Dunning.

Serafina laughed. “I cannot disown all interest in them.”

“As you should not, my dear. Attention to dress is very fitting in a young gentlewoman, if paid in moderation. Is that not right, Mr Thornton?”

“I… I fear I have little opinion on the matter, sir.”

“Quite right, sir. One must only have the wit tell a young woman that she looks charming, and one need know nothing else of the matter. Alas, though, even as I interrupted to compliment you both on your sobriety, I succeed only in turning you both to topics less worthy. Therefore: I heard you were speaking of the education of destitute girls?”

“Yes, sir. Indeed, of the unfortunates of all genders and ages.”

“Very admirable. I am very pleased to find such ardent supporters of so noble a cause. Indeed, it has been communicated to me that Mrs Moor’s school is organising a collection. If I could take a subscription from either of you…?”

Without even a pause for reluctance, Richard reached for his pocket book. “I’m afraid my means are rather modest, sir, but I would gladly give what I could.”

“That is very good of you, Mr Thornton. Pray, Miss Tooting, do not reach for your reticule, your mother has already put you both down for a very generous sum, and I would not wish to play you false.” He withdrew a book of his own, and a scrap of pencil lead. “I have a list of those willing to give here, so if you would make a note, sir, I shall make sure collect from you when it is time.”

“You are very good, sir.”

“Anything in the service of charity, Mr Thornton. I must say, I sympathise with your point. Would that all the boys I school of a morning were interested in bettering their lot – but if they cannot reckon their Bible, what hope have their souls, eh?”

“Indeed, sir.” 

So, their private conversation was interrupted, but Mr Thornton remained another half hour, speaking to her, the Reverend Doctor, and others of their acquaintance, until he made his excuses and departed once more. 

As Mr Thornton left, Dr Dunning turned to Serafina in his wry, gentle, knowing way and said, “Perhaps not the easiest fellow in company, but I believe he has the makings of a tolerably sensible young man.”

Serafina did her very best not to blush. “I believe so, too, sir.”

“Hmm. I’d have him for Mary if they showed the slightest mutual inclination – but I rather fear his fancy leads him elsewhere.” 

“I couldn’t possibly understand what you mean, sir.”

“No, no, of course, my dear. You know about his family?”

Serafina took a discreet glance about herself, “He has told me a little.”

Dr Dunning looked surprised at that. “Well. Bad business, to be sure. But the family’s not so unsteady as all that. I knew his grandfather. Oh, no, not the grand Mr Thornton of the City, but on his mother’s side. Knew her too, a little, when she was merely Miss Clara – sweet girl. They were Methodists, you know, reformers, but Rowbottom was a good man. He and my father used to argue theology four nights out of five when I was a young lad. Stubborn as a mule, and a temper like Old Nick. There’s a lot of that in your Mr Thornton, I think.” 

“I’m not certain that those are terms of glowing praise, Dr Dunning.”

“I wouldn’t say that. Never heard a cross word from Old Rowbottom but on a moral point, and as a man of the cloth, I can tell you that if those morals are upright, we term that strength of conviction, rather than wrath. Still, Rowbottom was an cheerful fellow, when he wasn't riled – your Mr Thornton would do well with a measure of that. Too stiff-necked by a half, but with the life he’s had, I suppose there was no help for it. Oh, don’t look so crossly at me, Miss Tooting. I think it’s wise to know a man’s faults, as well as his virtues."

"As you say, sir."

He laughed, "Don't take it so hard, my dear child. On balance, I believe I like your Mr Thornton. There’s a lot of old Rowbottom in him, and more than that, he’s an Anglican.”