Rose quietly turned her face, too sure of her cold appreciation of him to retort. But yesterday night a word from him might have made her his; and here she sat advocating the nobility of his nature with the zeal of a barrister in full swing of practice. Remember, however, that a kiss separates them: and how many millions of leagues that counts for in love, in a pure girl's thought, I leave you to guess.
Now, in what way was Evan to be thanked? how was he to be treated? Sir
Franks proposed to go down to him in person, accompanied by Harry. Lady
Jocelyn acquiesced. But Rose said to her mother:
'Will not you wound his sensitiveness by going to him there?'
'Possibly,' said her ladyship. 'Shall we write and ask him to come to us?'
'No, Mama. Could we ask him to make a journey to receive our thanks?'
'Not till we have solid ones to offer, perhaps.'
'He will not let us help him, Mama, unless we have all given him our hands.'
'Probably not. There's always a fund of nonsense in those who are capable of great things, I observe. It shall be a family expedition, if you like.'
'What!' exclaimed Mrs. Shorne. 'Do you mean that you intend to allow
Rose to make one of the party? Franks! is that your idea?'
Sir Franks looked at his wife.