Part 37 (2/2)
Madelaine flushed with pleasure.
”I cannot say. Is this a sudden resolve?”
”Quite. I never thought of such a thing till I went there.”
”Then take time to think it over. Mr Leslie.”
”Good advice; but it is a thing that requires very little thought. I cannot say what arrangements I should make--that would require consideration, but I should not tie him to a desk. He would have the overlooking of a lot of men, and I should try to make him as happy as I could.”
”Oh, Mr Leslie!” said Madelaine, rather excitedly.
”Pray do not think I am slighting your father, or looking down upon what he has done, which, speaking as a blunt man, is very self-sacrificing.”
”As it would be on your part.”
”On mine? Oh, no,” said Leslie frankly. ”When a man has such an _arriere pensee_ as I have, there is no self-sacrifice. There, you see, I am perfectly plain.”
”And I esteem you all the more for it.”
The conversation extended, and in quite a long discussion everything was forgotten but the subject in hand, till Leslie said:--
”There, you had better sit down and rest for a few minutes. You are quite out of breath.”
Madelaine looked startled, for she had been so intent upon their conversation that she had not heeded their going up the cliff walk.
”Sit down,” said Leslie; and she obeyed. ”Get your breath, and we'll walk back to your house together; but what do you think of it all?”
”I cannot help thinking that it would for many reasons be better.”
”So do I,” said Leslie, ”in spite of the risk.”
”Risk?”
”Yes. Suppose I get into an imbroglio with Master Harry? He's as peppery as can be. How then?”
”You will be firm and forbearing,” said Madelaine gravely. ”I have no fear.”
”Well, I have. I know myself better than you know me,” said Leslie, placing a foot on the seat and resting his arm on his knee, as he spoke thoughtfully. ”I am a very hot-headed kind of Highlander by descent, and there's no knowing what might happen. Now one more question. Shall I open fire on your father to-night?”
”That requires more consideration,” said Madelaine. ”We will talk that over as we go back. Here is Harry,” she said quickly, as that gentleman suddenly burst upon them; and the walk back to Van Heldre's was accomplished without the discussion.
”I'm afraid I've made a very great mistake, Miss Van Heldre,” said Leslie, as they neared the house.
”Don't say that,” she replied. ”It was most unfortunate.”
”But you will soon set that right?” he added, after a pause.
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