I felt a little needlessly disappointed. Doubtless I answered him a little coldly.
“I must thank Mrs. Fortress for them, then! Very well; I will go down and see her to-morrow.”
“I don’t think,” he said, with a slight twinkle in his eyes, “that you need go down specially. Mrs. Fortress only answered my question when I asked her if she thought that you would care for them.”
“Oh, is that all?” I remarked.
“Entirely,” he answered. “At the same time, if you have any time to spare I daresay Mrs. Fortress would be glad to see you if you went down.”
“Do you think she would, really?” I asked. “You know the first time I was there, something a little unpleasant happened in connection with my father. I took a great fancy to her, and I would like to go and see her again, but I am not sure whether she wants me. I fancy she was very surprised at my visit the other night.”
“I am perfectly certain,” he declared, confidently, “that she would be glad to see you any time you chose to go to her. You may take my word for that.”
“I think I will go to-morrow, then,” I said. “Mrs. Fortress interests me very much. There is no one else round here like her.”
“You are very friendly with my godmamma, are you not?” he said, with a faint smile at the corners of his lips.
“Lady Naselton has been very kind to me,” I answered.