Volume Ii Part 75 (2/2)
”Is he going back to England now?” she said, coming back to the table.
”No.”
Barby gathered a pile of plates together, and then inquired ?
”Is he going to settle in America?”
”Why, no, Barby! What makes you ask such a thing?”
”I thought he looked as if he had dressed himself for a cold climate,” said Barby, drily.
Fleda sat down by Hugh's easy-chair, and laid her head on his breast.
”I like your Mr. Carleton very much,” Hugh whispered, after a while.
”Do you?” said Fleda, a little wondering at Hugh's choice of that particular p.r.o.nominal adjective.
”Very much indeed. But he has changed, Fleda.”
”Yes ?in some things ? some great things.”
”He says he is coming again,” said Hugh.
Fleda's heart beat. She was silent.
”I am very glad,” repeated Hugh, ”I like him very much. But you won't leave me, Fleda, will you?”
”Leave you?” said Fleda, looking at him.
”Yes,” said Hugh, smiling, and drawing her head down again: ”I always thought what he came over here for. But you will stay with me while I want you, Fleda?”
”While you want me!” said Fleda, again.
”Yes ? it won't be long.”
”What won't be long?”
”I,” said Hugh, quietly. ”Not long. I am very glad I shall not leave you alone, dear Fleda ? very glad! ? promise me you will not leave me any more.”
”Don't talk so, dear Hugh!”
”But it is true, Fleda,” said Hugh, gently. ”I know it. I sha'n't be here, but a little while. I am so glad you are come home, dear Fleda! You will not let anybody take you away till I am gone first?”
Fleda drew her arm close around Hugh's neck, and was still ?
still even to his ear ? for a good while. A hard battle must be fought, and she must not be weak, for his sake, and for everybody's sake. Others of the family had come, or were coming into the room. Hugh waited till a short breath, but freer drawn, told him he might speak.
”Fleda,” he whispered.
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