And he kissed her cheek.
'I'm now emancipated for, I hope, a week or two. I've been so stupid and inattentive. I'm sure, Dorkie, you must think me a brute. I've been shut up so in the library, and keeping such tiresome company—you've no idea; but I think you'll say it was time well spent, at least I'm sure you'll approve the result; and now that I have collected the facts, and can show you, darling, exactly what the chances are, you must consent to hear the long story, and when you have heard, give me your advice.'
Dorcas smiled, and only plucked a little flowery tendril from a plant that hung in a natural festoon above her.
'I assure you, darling, I am serious; you must not look so incredulous; and it is the more provoking, because I love you so. I think I have a right to your advice, Dorkie.'
'Why don't you ask Rachel, she's cleverer than I, and you are more in the habit of consulting her?'
'Now, Dorkie is going to talk her wicked nonsense over again, as if I had never answered it. What about Radie? I do assure you, so far from taking her advice, and thinking her an oracle, as you suppose, I believe her in some respects very little removed from a fool.'
'I think her very clever, on the contrary,' said Dorcas, enigmatically.
'Well, she is clever in some respects; she is gay, at least she used to be, before she fell into that transcendental parson's hands—I mean poor dear William Wylder; and she can be amusing, and talks very well, but she has no sense—she is utterly Quixotic—she is no more capable of advising than a child.'
'I should not have fancied that, although you say so, Stanley.' she answered carelessly, adding a geranium to her bouquet.
'You are thinking, I know, because you have seen us once or twice talking together——'