Volume Ii Part 36 (1/2)
”Fleda, does it seem pleasant to be here again?”
”Very pleasant, dear aunt Lucy, though I have had a very pleasant visit too.”
”On the whole, you do not wish you were at this moment driving out of town in Mr. Thorn's cabriolet?” said her cousin.
”Not in the least,” said Fleda, coolly. How did you know I ever did such a thing?”
”I wonder what should bring Mr. Thorn to Queechy at this time of year,” said Hugh.
Fleda started at this confirmation of Constance's words; and, what was very odd, she could not get rid of the impression that Mr. Rossitur had started too. Perhaps it was only her own nerves, but he had certainly taken away the arm that was round her.
”I suppose he has followed Miss Ringgan,” said Charlton, gravely.
”No,” said Hugh, ”he has been here some little time.”
”Then he preceded her, I suppose, to see and get the sleighs in order.”
”He did not know I was coming,” said Fleda.
”Didn't!”
”No, I have not seen him for several days.”
”My dear little cousin,” said Charlton, laughing, ”you are not a witch in your own affairs, whatever you may be in those of other people.”
”Why, Charlton?”
”You are no adept in the art of concealment.”
”I have nothing to conceal,” said Fleda. ”How do you know he is here, Hugh?”
”I was anxiously asked the other day,” said Hugh, with a slight smile, ”whether you had come home, and then told that Mr. Thorn was in Queechy. There is no mistake about it, for my informant had actually seen him, and given him the directions to Mr. Plumfield's, for which he was inquiring.”
”The direction to Mr. Plumfield's!” said Fleda.
”What's your old friend, Mr. Carleton, doing in New York?”
said Charlton.
”Is he there still?” said Mrs. Rossitur.
”Large as life,” answered her son.
”Which, though you might not suppose it, aunt Lucy, is about the height of Captain Rossitur, with ? I should judge ? a trifle less weight.”
”Your eyes are observant!” said Charlton.
”Of a good many things,” said Fleda, lightly.
”He is _not_ my height by half an inch!” said Charlton; ”I am just six feet without my boots.”