“He has been away a good many years. Consumption, I hear.”
“He was a fine-built fellow too; was he not, Lady Bassett?”
“I don't know; but he was beautifully strong. I think I see him now carrying dear Charles in his arms all down the garden.”
“Ah, you see he was raised in a university that does not do things by halves, but trains both body and mind, as they did at Athens; for the union of study and athletic sports is spoken of as a novelty, but it is only a return to antiquity.”
Here letters were brought by the second post. Sir Charles glanced at his, and sent them to his study. Lady Bassett had but one. She said, “May I?” to both gentlemen, and then opened it.
“How strange!” said she. “It is from Mr. Angelo: just a line to say he is coming home quite cured.”
She began this composedly, but blushed afterward—blushed quite red.
“May I?” said she, and tossed it delicately half-way to Rolfe. He handed it to Sir Charles.
Some remarks were then made about the coincidence, and nothing further passed worth recording at that time.
Next day Lady Bassett, with instinctive curiosity, asked Master Reginald how he came to put such a question as that to Mr. Rolfe.