Her friendship with Mr.

Nolan was supported by' intelligence

and a
mutual interest in endorsing the campaign against the slave
trade,
being championed in Parliament by Mr. Wilberforce, the devout
evangelical Member of Parliament for Yorkshire and Mr. Nolan's
mentor.
Rachel's ardour and preoccupation with the evils of this trade
in human
misery was gradually turning into a crusade.

Their father was unconcerned by her avid interest; like most

young
ladies who considered they should have some cause or other to
support,
he was confident she would abandon it when she put the painful
memories
of her unhappy affair with Ralph Wheeler behind her and found
herself a
husband.

"It does indeed," Stephen agreed. "I must say that your strong
mind
and natural confidence dominates both our cousins."

"Strong-minded I may be, Stephen--and nothing would give me

greater
pleasure than to go out into the world as Kitty has done." She
sighed,
with a wistful look in her eyes, as she referred to their
sister, who
had left home to become an actress on the London stage--a
disreputable
profession, and frowned upon so ardently by their Aunt Mary.

"But one cannot deny that men's lives and decisions shape
female
destinies and will continue to do so for a good many years yet,
I am
sorry to say."

They fell silent as the coach continued on its way. Harry was
overcome
by a fresh bout of sneezing, and Rachel placed a hand to his