Volume Ii Part 37 (2/2)
”Thorn don't like him, eh?”
”I think not.”
”What do you suppose is the reason?” said Charlton, gravely.
”I don't think Mr. Thorn is particularly apt to like anybody,”
said Fleda, who knew very well the original cause of both exceptions, but did not like to advert to it.
”Apparently you don't like Mr. Thorn?” said Mr. Rossitur, speaking for the first time.
”I don't know who does, Sir, much ? except his mother.”
”What is he?”
”A man not wanting in parts, Sir, and with considerable force of character ? but I am afraid more for ill than good. I should be very sorry to trust him with anything dear to me.”
”How long were you in forming that opinion?” said Charlton, looking at her curiously.
”It was formed, substantially, the first evening I saw him, and I have never seen cause to alter it since.”
The several members of the family therewith fell into a general muse, with the single exception of Hugh, whose eyes and thoughts seemed to be occupied with Fleda's living presence. Mr. Rossitur then requested that breakfast might be ready very early ? at six o'clock.
”Six o'clock!” exclaimed Mrs. Rossitur.
”I have to take a long ride, on business, which must be done early in the day.”
”When will you be back?”
”Not before nightfall.”
”But going on _another_ business journey!” said Mrs. Rossitur.
”You have but just these few hours come home from one.”
”Cannot breakfast be ready?”
”Yes, uncle Rolf,” said Fleda, bringing her bright face before him ? ”ready at half-past five, if you like ? now that _I_ am to the fore, you know.”
He clasped her to his breast and kissed her again, but with a face so very grave that Fleda was glad n.o.body else saw it.
Then Charlton went, averring that he wanted at least a night and a half of sleep between two such journeys as the one of that day and the one before him on the next ? especially as he must resign himself to going without anything to eat. Him also Fleda laughingly promised that, precisely half an hour before the stage time, a cup of coffee and a roll should be smoking on the table, with whatever substantial appendages might be within the bounds of possibility, or the house.
”I will pay you for that beforehand with a kiss,” said he.
”You will do nothing of the kind,” said Fleda, stepping back; ”a kiss is a favour taken, not given ? and I am entirely ignorant what you have done to deserve it.”
”You make a curious difference between me and Hugh,” said Charlton, half in jest, half in earnest.
”Hugh is my brother, Captain Rossitur,” said Fleda, smiling ?
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