It was delightful to hear her once again speak gaily, and without reserve. It was evident that she had played with the children, and remarked what passed around her.
No one enquired into the particulars of her conversation with Madame Mesnil. It had evidently done her good, and that was enough.
CHAPTER XI.
A new Abode.
Mr. Byerley returned somewhat fatigued with his journey, but in high spirits. He said but little respecting his doings and the persons he had seen in Paris, but was very communicative about all that happened on the road. He had been much entertained by one man in particular, who had sat beside him all the way from Paris, and been very anxious to make acquaintance with the Englishman. He appeared to have very strange, erroneous notions of England, its government, and political parties.
“I hope he did not lead you to talk too freely,” interrupted Mr. Fletcher.
“O, no!” replied Mr. Byerley; “and if I had talked treason it would hardly have signified. You have no idea of the man’s simplicity.”
“Not so good a one as he has of yours, perhaps. But what are this simple man’s politics?”
“Just what one might expect from such a person. He is not very well contented with the state of things in this country, but does not see how it is to be improved. He seems one of the grumblers, who set other people to work, but do nothing themselves.”
“What sort of looking man is he?”
“A very common looking person, with a black coat and ugly brown wig.”