Part 29 (1/2)
I politely pulled forward the most comfortable of the wicker chairs
”Thanks You're an American, Mr Wynn?” he asked
”That's so,” I said, wondering how he guessed it so soon
We got on faeneral and Cornwall in particular He'd been vicar of Morwen for over forty years
I had to confess that I'd not seen h I hoped to do so noas better
”It's the loveliest corner in England, sir!” he asserted enthusiastically ”And there are some fine old houses about; you Alish country seats, aren't you? Well, you s to the Pendennis fa up in astonishment; ”not Anthony Pendennis!”
He looked at ht I'd suddenly taken leave of my senses
”Yes, Anthony Pendennis is the present owner; I knew hi man But he has lived abroad for many years Do you know him?”
CHAPTER XXIX
LIGHT ON THE PAST
”Yes, I've e circumstances,” I answered
”I'd like to tell the about it,” I added hastily, for I heard Mary's voice speaking to the maid, and knew she would be out in another minute
”May I come and see you, Mr Treherne? I've a very special reason for asking”
He ht me a polite lunatic, but he said courteously:
”I shall be delighted to see you at the vicarage, Mr Wynn, and to hear any news you can give?”
I accepted the invitation with alacrity
”Thanks; that's very good of you I'll come round after dinner, then
But please don't mention the Pendennises to my cousin, unless she does so first I'll explain why, later”
There was no tientleh he must certainly have been puzzled by my manner and my requests, he concealed the fact admirably, and steered clear of any reference to Pencarrow or its owner; though, of course, he talked a lot about his beloved Cornhile we had tea
”He's charh why a man like that should be a bachelor beats land ould get o round! I guess I'll ask Jane Fraser”
She paused ht, but she'd just worry hiaret Haynes, now; she looks early Victorian, though she can't be much over thirty She'd just suit hie I'll write and ask her to coht now! What do you think, Maurice?”
”That you're the most inveterate little matchmaker in the world Why can't you leave the poor old man in peace?” I answered, secretly relieved that she had, for the hed
”Bachelorhood isn't peace; it's desolation!” she declared ”I' house What was that he said about expecting you to-night?”