Part 11 (1/2)

”There is a joss in the corner like him, Vicomte,” said Miss Wynne. ”If you look at it, you will need no presentation. I pray you to avoid the temptation of a look.” Of course both young persons regarded, as she meant they should, the china G.o.d on his ebony stand.

”A reincarnation of the bulldog,” remarked Gainor, well pleased with her phrase.

”If,” said Margaret to the young man, ”thou dost take my aunt or Uncle Josiah seriously, it will be what they never do one another. They fight, but never quarrel. My mother thinks this is because then they would stay apart and have no more the luxury of fighting again, a thing they do love.”

”Are you sure that is thy mother's wisdom, Margaret?” said Gainor. ”It is not like her.”

”If I said it was mine, thou wouldst box my ears.”

”Did ever one hear the like?”

The young girl occasionally ventured, when with aunt or uncle, upon these contributions of observation which now and then startle those who, seeing little change from day to day, are surprised by the sudden fruitage of developmental growth.

”I shall profit by Miss Swanwick's warning,” said De Courval.

Miss Wynne, who kept both houses open, and now would not as usual, on account of the vicomtesse, fill her country house with guests, had come to town to dine Mr. Hamilton and to amuse herself with the young man. It cannot be said, despite her bluff kindness, that De Courval altogether or unreservedly liked her sudden changes of mood or the quick transitions which more or less embarra.s.sed and at times puzzled him.

Upon his inquiring for his mother, Miss Wynne replied:

”She is better, much better. You are to come to-morrow. You should come more often. It is absurd, most absurd, that you are so tied to the legs of a desk. I shall speak to my nephew.”

”I beg of you, madame, to do no such thing. I am a clerk and the youngest.” And then a little ashamed of his shame, he added: ”I sweep out the office and lock up at evening. You would cause Mr. Wynne to think I had asked you.” He spoke with decision.

”It is ridiculous. I shall explain, make it easy.”

Then he said, ”You will pardon me, who owe you so much, but I shall have to be beforehand and say I do not wish it.”

”I retreat,” said Miss Wynne. ”I haul down my colors.” He was quite sure that she never would.

”You are again kind, madame,” he returned.

”I hear Mr. Schmidt and the joss,” she said as she rose, while Margaret, un.o.bserved, cast a thoughtful glance at the clerk. It was a new type to her. The gravity, the decisiveness, and the moral courage, although she may not have so labeled the qualities, appealed to her who had proudly borne the annoyances of restricted means among friends and kindred who lived in luxury. She had heard Schmidt say to her mother that this De Courval was a man on the way to the making of a larger manhood. Even young as she was, about to be seventeen in September, she had among the young Friends those she liked and some who were disposed to like her too well; but this was another kind of man.

When Schmidt entered, followed by Friend Langstroth, De Courval was struck by the truth of Gainor's reference to the joss. Short, very fat, a triple chin and pendant cheeks under small eyes, and a bald head--all were there.

”You are both late. My back of mutton will be overdone. The Vicomte de Courval--Mr. Langstroth.”

”Glad to see thee; meant to come and see thee. I was to give thee this letter, Friend Schmidt. Mr. Wynne sent it. A messenger came up from Chester while I was with him at the counting-house. The _Saucy Sisters_ was lying below for the flood.”

Schmidt glanced at it, hesitated a moment, and put it in his pocket as they went in to dinner.

”Any news?” asked Langstroth. ”Any news from France?”

”I do not know,” said Schmidt. He had no mind to spoil the meal with what he knew must very likely be evil tidings. ”It is from England,” he added. Miss Gainor, understanding him, said: ”We were to have had Mr.

Hamilton. I think I told you.”

”I saw him at the office of the Secretary of the Treasury,” said Schmidt; ”a less capable successor he has in his place. We talked much about the rage for lotteries, and he would stop them by a law.”

”He should let things alone,” said Langstroth. ”A nice muddle he has made of it with his bank and his excise.”