‘She was riding in the Park. I was on foot.’
‘She could not have seen you!’ exclaimed Phœbe.
‘She did,’ replied Robert; ‘I was going to tell you. She gave me one of her sweetest, brightest smiles, such as only she
can give. You know them, Phœbe. No assumed welcome, but a sudden flash and sparkle of real gladness.’
‘But why—what do you mean?’ asked Phœbe; ‘why have you not been to her? I thought from your manner that she had been neglecting you, but it seems to me all the other way.’
‘I cannot, Phœbe; I cannot put my poor pretensions forward in the set she is with. I know they would influence her, and that her decision would not be calm and mature.’
‘Her decision of what you are to be?’
‘That is fixed,’ said Robert, sighing.
‘Indeed! With papa.’
‘No, in my own mind. I have seen enough of the business to find that I could in ten years quadruple my capital, and in the meantime maintain her in the manner she prefers.’