Volume I Part 40 (1/2)
”I shall often remember you, dear Elfie,” he said; ”I shall keep your rose always, and take it with me wherever I go. You must not make it too hard for me to quit Paris ? you are glad to have me go on such an errand, are you not?”
She presently commanded herself, bade her tears wait till another time as usual, and trying to get rid of those that covered her face, asked him ”What errand?”
He hesitated.
”I have been thinking of what we were talking of yesterday, Elfie,” he said at length. ”I am going to try to discover my duty, and then to do it.”
But Fleda at that clasped his hand, and squeezing it in both hers, bent down her little head over it to hide her face and the tears that streamed again. He hardly knew how to understand, or what to say to her. He half suspected that there were depths in that childish mind beyond his fathoming.
He was not, however, left to wait long. Fleda, though she might now and then be surprised into showing it, never allowed her sorrow of any kind to press upon the notice or the time of others. She again checked herself and dried her face.
”There is n.o.body else in Paris that will be so sorry for my leaving it,” said Mr. Carleton, half tenderly and half pleasantly.
”There is n.o.body else that has so much cause,” said Elfie, near bursting out again, but she restrained herself.
”And you will not come here again;, Mr. Carleton?” she said, after a few minutes.
”I do not say that ? it is possible ? if I do, it will be to see you, Elfie.”
A shadow of a smile pa.s.sed over her face at that. It was gone instantly.
”My mother will not leave Paris yet,” he went on ? you will see her often.”
But he saw that Fleda was thinking of something else; she scarce seemed to hear him. She was thinking of something that troubled her.
”Mr. Carleton,” she began, and her colour changed.
”Speak, Elfie.”
Her colour changed again. ”Mr. Carleton, will you be displeased if I say something?”
”Don't you know me better than to ask me that, Elfie?” he said, gently.
”I want to ask you something ? if you wont mind my saying it?”
”What is it?” said he, reading in her face that a request was behind. ”I will do it.”
Her eyes sparkled, but she seemed to have some difficulty in going on.
”I will do it whatever it is,” he said, watching her.
”Will you wait for me one moment, Mr. Carleton?”
”Half an hour.”
She sprang away, her face absolutely flas.h.i.+ng pleasure through her tears. It was much soberer, and again doubtful and changing colour, when a few minutes afterwards she came back with a book in her hand. With a striking mixture of timidity, modesty, and eagerness in her countenance, she came forward, and putting the little volume, which was her own Bible, into Mr. Carleton's hands, said, under her breath, ”Please read it.” She did not venture to look up.
He saw what the book was; and then taking the gentle hand which had given it, he kissed it two or three times ? if it had been a princess's he could not with more respect.
”You have my promise, Elfie,” he said; ”I need not repeat it.”