"I am still more sorry than displeased, Edward; I had hoped you were learning more control, and to know your duty to a domestic better. Your uncle—"
"Oh, pray do not tell him!" implored Edward, "and I will ask Robert's pardon the moment I go home."
"I certainly shall not complain of you to him, Edward, if my arguments can convince you of your error; but if you are only to ask Robert's pardon for fear of your uncle, I would rather you should not do so. Tell me the truth; if you were quite sure your uncle would know nothing about it, would you still ask Robert's pardon?"
Edward unhesitatingly answered "No!"
"And why not?"
"Because I think he ought to ask mine for keeping me waiting as he did, and for being insolent first to me."
"He did not keep you waiting above five minutes, and that was my fault not his, as I was employing him; and as for insolence, can you tell me what he said?" Edward hesitated.
"I do not remember the exact words, but I know he called me impatient, and if I were, he had no right to tell me so."
"Nor did he. I heard all that passed, and I could not help thinking how very far superior was Robert, a poor country youth, to the young gentleman who abused him."
The color rose to Edward's temples, but he set his teeth and clenched his hand, to prevent any farther display of anger; and his aunt, after attentively observing him, continued—