“I am sure she does; an affectionate, grateful child.”
“She will be a woman soon, Tom, and may love you as a woman then.”
Tom looked indignant and rather scornful at that suggestion, and hastened to revert to the subject more immediately at his heart.
“Miss Travers said you would like to call on Will Somers and his wife; will you? Moleswich is not far from London, you know.”
“Certainly, I will call.”
“I do hope you will find them happy; and if so, perhaps you will kindly let me know; and—and—I wonder whether Jessie’s child is like her? It is a boy; somehow or other I would rather it had been a girl.”
“I will write you full particulars. But why not come with me?”
“No, I don’t think I could do that, just at present. It unsettled me sadly when I did again see her sweet face at Graveleigh, and she was still afraid of me too! that was a sharp pang.”
“She ought to know what you have done for her, and will.”
“On no account, sir; promise me that. I should feel mean if I humbled them,—that way.”