"Pooh!" said the member; "I'll send an express."
"Oh, no indeed; thank you."
"Why not?"
I hesitated. "You see, sir, that my father and mother are both new to
London; and though I am new too, yet they may want me,—I may be of
use." Lady Ellinor put her hand on my head and sleeked down my hair as
I spoke.
"Right, young man, right; you will do in the world, wrong as that is. I don't mean that you'll succeed, as the rogues say,—that's another question; but if you don't rise, you'll not fall. Now put on your hat and come with me; we'll walk to the lodge,—you will be in time for a coach."
I took my leave of Lady Ellinor, and longed to say something about "compliments to Miss Fanny;" but the words stuck in my throat, and my host seemed impatient.
"We must see you soon again," said Lady Ellinor, kindly, as she followed us to the door.
Mr. Trevanion walked on briskly and in silence, one hand in his bosom, the other swinging carelessly a thick walkingstick.
"But I must go round by the bridge," said I, "for I forgot my knapsack. I threw it off when I made my leap, and the old lady certainly never took charge of it."
"Come, then, this way. How old are you?"