“I do not know, uncle; I wish to leave it all to Mr. Sutherland. I have so much confidence in his judgment and in his regard for me, that I feel perfectly sure he will never draw me into any evil or suffering.”
“Always faith in Mark! Suppose he should be going away in a few days, and suppose he should wish to marry and take you with him?”
“In that case, I should wish to go, dear uncle. Have you done with me now, sir?” asked Rosalie, really distressed by the length and closeness of the examination to which she had been subjected.
“Yes, you may go!” answered the old gentleman, rising, and holding the door open for her to pass. And Rosalie left the study.
In the lower hall she saw Mark Sutherland. He came to meet her, drew her arm within his own, and then they both walked into the garden.
“Well, dear Rosalie, do you know that I shall probably leave here in the course of a week?”
“My uncle has just hinted it to me. Where do you go?”
“Back to the village of S——, to take possession of an established office about to be vacated by my friend Lauderdale, who is coming on here, upon an errand of which you are already apprised, my dear Rosalie.”
“Yes, I know mamma and Mr. Lauderdale will be united next month.”
“Well, dear Rosalie?”