Volume Ii Part 59 (2/2)
”But that is not all,” said Fleda, a little quieted; ”Charlton came in this evening when we were talking, and he was surprised to find me so, and Mr. Thorn was in a very ill humour, and some words pa.s.sed between them, and Charlton threatened to see him again; and oh, if he does!” said poor Fleda ? ”that will finish our difficulties! ? for Charlton is very hot, and I know how it will end ? how it must end” ?
”Where is your cousin to be found?”
”I don't know where he lodges when he is in town.”
”You did not leave him at Mrs. Decatur's. Do you know where he is this evening?”
”Yes!” said Fleda, wondering that she should have heard and remembered; ”he said he was going to meet a party of his brother officers at Mme. Fouche's ? a sister-in-law of his Colonel, I believe.”
”I know her. This note ? was it the name of the young Mr.
Thorn, or of his father that was used?”
”Of his father.”
”Has _he_ appeared at all in this business?”
”No,” said Fleda, feeling for the first time that there was something notable about it.
”What sort of person do you take him to be?”
”Very kind ? very pleasant, always, he has been to me, and I should think to everybody ? very unlike the son.”
Mr. Carleton had ordered the coachman back to Mrs. Evelyn's.
”Do you know the amount of the note? It may be desirable that I should not appear uninformed.”
”It was for four thousand dollars,” Fleda said, in the low voice of shame.
”And when given?”
”I don't know exactly ? but six years ago ? some time in the winter of '43, it must have been.”
He said no more till the carriage stopped; and then, before handing her out of it, lifted her hand to his lips. That carried all the promise Fleda wanted, from him. How oddly ?
how curiously, her hand kept the feeling of that kiss upon it all night!
CHAPTER XVIII.
”Heat not a furnace for your friend so hot That it may singe yourself.”
SHAKESPEARE.
Mr. Carleton went to Madame Fouche's, who received most graciously, as any lady would, his apology for introducing himself unlooked-for, and begged that he would commit the same fault often. As soon as practicable, he made his way to Charlton, and invited him to breakfast with him the next morning.
Mrs. Carleton always said it never was known that Guy was refused anything he had a mind to ask. Charlton, though taken by surprise, and certainly not too much prepossessed in his favour, was won by an influence that, where its owner chose to exert it, was generally found irresistible; and not only accepted the invitation, but was conscious to himself of doing it with a good deal of pleasure. Even when Mr. Carleton made the further request that Captain Rossitur would, in the meantime, see no one on business of any kind, intimating that the reason would then be given, Charlton, though startling a little at this restraint upon his freedom of motion, could do no other than give the desired promise, and with the utmost readiness. Guy then went to Mr. Thorn's. It was, by this time, not early.
”Mr. Lewis Thorn ? is he at home?”
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