Part 31 (1/2)
”I think it is a very nice place.”
”So do I; and under other circ.u.mstances I should be very happy there.
Do you suppose Julia or Florina Lord is with Mr. Whippleton?”
”I am satisfied that neither of them is with him.”
”Mr. Waterford said they were; but that was a part of his deception.”
”He does not scruple to lie.”
”If Julia were only here, I should be satisfied,” added she, looking out upon the lake.
”I am sorry she is not; but you may be satisfied as it is. You shall have the cabin all to yourself.”
”I'm not afraid of anything,” said she, with some confusion on her pretty face.
”You ought not to be afraid of your own cousin.”
”My own what?” asked she, with a smile.
”Of your own cousin.”
”Where is he?”
”I am he.”
”You, Philip,” laughed she.
”Perhaps you think I am joking; but I am not.”
”You really don't mean to say that you are my cousin.”
”I do really mean to say it, and I know it is true.”
”How can that be?”
”It so happens that my mother and your father are brother and sister; and I believe the relations.h.i.+p of cousin is usually established in some such way.”
”Doubtless you are quite right, Mr. Philip; but my father has but one sister, and she does not happen to have any children. Therefore I cannot possibly have any such cousin as you mention,” said she, smiling at what she deemed her overwhelming argument; and perhaps she thought I was getting up a conspiracy against her.
”Your conclusion would be entirely just if the premises were correct.
Your father's sister had one child.”
”Had, but has not now. Her little son was lost on the Missouri River.”
”Supposed to be lost, but not lost,” I replied, warmly. ”I am that son.”
”Do you really mean so, Philip?” she inquired, looking at me earnestly, as if to fathom the trick I was playing upon her.
”I do most certainly.”