'We were happy,' said Lord Cadurcis, in a thoughtful tone; and then in an inquiring voice he added, 'and so we are now?'
Venetia shook her head.
'Can you be unhappy?'
'To be unhappy would be wicked,' said Venetia; 'but my mind has lost its spring.'
'Ah! say not so, Venetia, or you will make even me gloomy. I am happy, positively happy. There must not be a cloud upon your brow.'
'You are joyous,' said Venetia, 'because you are excited. It is the novelty of return that animates you. It will wear off; you will grow weary, and when you go to the university you will think yourself happy again.'
'I do not intend to go to the university,' said Cadurcis.
'I understood from you that you were going there immediately.'
'My plans are changed,' said Cadurcis; 'I do not intend ever to leave home again.'
'When you go to Cambridge,' said Dr. Masham, who just then reached them, 'I shall trouble you with a letter to an old friend of mine whose acquaintance you may find valuable.'