Dorothea told him.
"I do not think that amounts to much," said Brandon.
"Oh then you think he never did ask her? I hope and trust you are right."
"Why do you hope and trust, Mrs. Brandon? What can it signify to you?" Then, when she made no answer, he went on. "To be sure that would make it highly natural that he should be glad at the prospect of her absenting herself."
"I was just thinking so. Did not he speak well, St. George."
"He did; you were wishing all the time that I could speak as well!"
"Just as if you did not speak twice as well! Besides, you have a much finer voice. I like so much to hear you when you get excited."
"Ah! that is the thing. I have taken great pains to learn the art of speaking, and when to art excitement is added, I get on well enough. But John, without being excited, says, and cares nothing about them, the very things I should like to have said, but that will not perfectly reveal themselves to me till my speech is over."
"But he is not eloquent."
"No; he does not on particular occasions rise above the ordinary level of his thoughts. His everyday self suffices for what he has to do and say. But sometimes, if we two have spoken at the same meeting, and I see the speeches reported—though mine may have been most cheered—I find little in it, while he has often said perfectly things of real use to our party."