Miss Capel gave due attention to these items of discourse, and then Mr. Gage went on.
Really Haveloc was a very good fellow. He did not think him so religious as people made out. He had persuaded them to go to Tynebrook for trout fishing to-morrow. They were to dine there late, and return the next morning—a late dinner even in these days—ten o'clock—that was Raymond's idea. He said anglers lost the best part of the day when they left off before the cool of the evening. He remembered having himself caught the finest trout he ever saw, one evening about nine o'clock. He always regretted he had not that fish weighed.
Margaret acceded to these remarks with a proper degree of interest. She felt better, stronger than she had done before, more able to be amused with what passed around her. The fact was, she said to herself, that now her meeting with Mr. Haveloc was over—she had been in dread of it; and though in the same house, they hardly saw or spoke to each other, therefore there was nothing more to fear or hope—no suspense left.
Harriet meanwhile was keeping up a lively conversation with Mr. Haveloc, at last she said:
"Are you one of Miss Capel's admirers? Every one here thinks her very beautiful."
"Very much so," replied Mr. Haveloc, without looking towards Margaret.
"You knew her uncle very well. I suppose you must have seen a good deal of her at Ashdale?"
"I did. She was very young then."
"Do you find her much altered?"