Volume Ii Part 67 (1/2)
The vinaigrette dropped from Fleda's fingers, but beyond a heightened colour and a little tremulous gravity about the lip, she gave no other sign of emotion.
”Mamma,” said Florence, laughing, ”you are too bad !”
”Mamma,” said Constance, ”I wonder how any tender sentiment for you can continue to exist in Fleda's breast! By the way, Fleda, my dear, do you know that we have heard of two escorts for you? but I only tell you because I know you'll not be fit to travel this age.”
”I should not be able to travel to-morrow,” said Fleda.
”They are not going to-morrow,” said Mrs. Evelyn, quietly.
”Who are they ?”
”Excellent ones,” said Mrs. Evelyn. ”One of them is your old friend, Mr. Olmney.”
”Mr. Olmney!” said Fleda. ”What has brought him to New York?”
”Really,” said Mrs. Evelyn, laughing, ”I do not know. What should keep him away? I was very glad to see him, for my part.
Maybe he has come to take you home.”
”Who is the other?” said Fleda.
”That's another old friend of yours ? Mrs. Renney.”
”Mrs. Renney? who is she?” said Fleda.
”Why, don't you know? Mrs. Renney ? she used to live with your aunt Lucy, in some capacity ? years ago, when she was in New York ? housekeeper, I think; don't you remember her?”
”Perfectly now,” said Fleda. ”Mrs. Renney!” ?
”She has been housekeeper for Mrs. Schenck these several years, and she is going somewhere out West to some relation, her brother, I believe, to take care of his family; and her road leads her your way.”
”When do they go, Mrs. Evelyn?”
”Both the same day, and both the day after to-morrow. Mr.
Olmney takes the morning train, he says, unless you would prefer some other. I told him you were very anxious to go; and Mrs. Renney goes in the afternoon. So there's a choice for you.”
”Mamma,” said Constance, ”Fleda is not fit to go at all, either time.”
”I don't think she is,” said Mrs. Evelyn. ”But she knows best what she likes to do.”
Thoughts and resolutions come swiftly one after another into Fleda's mind, and were decided upon in as quick succession.
First, that she must go the day after to-morrow at all events; second, that it should not be with Mr. Olmney; third, that to prevent that, she must not see him in the meantime ? and, therefore ? yes, no help for it ? must refuse to see any one that called the next day; there was to be a party in the evening, so then she would be safe. No doubt Mr. Carleton would come, to give her a more particular account of what he had done, and she wished unspeakably to hear it; but it was not possible that she should make an exception in his favour and admit him alone. That could not be. If friends would only be simple, and straightforward, and kind, one could afford to be straightforward too; but as it was, she must not do what she longed to do, and they would be sure to misunderstand.
There was, indeed, the morning of the day following left her, if Mr. Olmney did not take it into his head to stay. And it might issue in her not seeing Mr. Carleton at all, to bid good-bye and thank him? He would not think her ungrateful, he knew better than that, but still ? Well! so much for kindness!
”What _are_ you looking so grave about? said Constance.
”Considering ways and means,” Fleda said, with a slight smile.
”Ways and means of what?”