“I suppose I got into the shrubbery before I fell. Or the count dragged me in.—But was that really a ghost? I feel now as if it was a good messenger, whether ghost or not, come to warn me, if I had had the courage to listen. I wish I had taken the warning.”
They talked about these and other things, till Mrs. Elton, who had made Hugh promise to stay to lunch, returned. When they were seated at table, the kind-hearted woman said:
“Now, Mr. Sutherland, when will you begin again with Harry?”
“I do not quite understand you,” answered Hugh.
“Of course you will come and give him lessons, poor boy. He will be broken-hearted if you don’t.”
“I wish I could. But I cannot—at least yet; for I know his father was dissatisfied with me. That was one of the reasons that made him send Harry to London.”
Harry looked wretchedly disappointed, but said nothing.
“I never heard him say anything of the sort.”
“I am sure of it, though. I am very sorry he has mistaken me; but he will know me better some day.”
“I will take all the responsibility,” persisted Mrs. Elton.