"If that is not a sufficient reason," said Mr. Gage, laughing, "I never heard one."
Everard went on peaceably eating his breakfast.
Harriet surveyed him in speechless indignation.
"He does not know the English of it!" she exclaimed at last; "he reads it like a parrot. Why even Captain Smithson—your prètendu, Margaret—knows French. It is something horrible. George, what shall we do?"
"Oh! Haveloc must take it now," said Mr. Gage, "he cannot have any real objection when he sees you in actual want of his assistance."
"Will you try to persuade him, Margaret?" said Harriet.
Margaret shook her head.
"It is a mere idle excuse," exclaimed Harriet after a pause, "I am sure, by the way he read that long scene with Camille, that he understood it."
"I know the meaning of part, but I cannot make it all out," said Everard.
"Then I will translate it for you. You give me an infinite deal of trouble, but I console myself by thinking how remarkably well you will look."