“Yes, ma’am, but he isn’t feeling well. I don’t know if he can see you.”
“Nonsense!” exclaimed the lady sharply. “Tell him his niece, Maria Harcourt, has just arrived from Europe and wishes to see him.”
“Very well, ma’am,” said the girl, overawed, “I’ll tell him.”
She went up-stairs and quickly returned, saying, “He will see you.”
“Of course he will. Edwin, you may stay here until I return, unless you are sent for.”
“All right, mother.”
Ben was about to omit the designation “Mother,” but a quick glance from Mrs. Harcourt showed that she expected him to use it.
We will follow Mrs. Harcourt up-stairs.
In a room fitted up as a library, sat, or rather reclined, in an easy-chair, an old man evidently quite feeble. He essayed to rise, but Mrs. Harcourt moving forward rapidly prevented him.
“No, Uncle Henry,” she said, “don’t get up.”