“And this Mr. Huyton, of whom she speaks so much; is he married?” said he, fixing an anxious look on her face as he spoke.
“No, not yet,” said Hilary, almost unconsciously betraying a little of the amusement at the question, which she could not effectually suppress.
“And you know them all very well, I suppose?” was his next observation.
“I have not known Miss Fielding very long, but she is so kind and friendly, that I look forward with pleasure to—” she checked herself with a blush, that she was so nearly owning her expectations.
He saw it; and the momentary glow which colored his face gave way to a deeper shade and a paler hue than before.
“Mr. Huyton we have known nearly three years,” added Hilary, looking up; “I think you will like him, perhaps; and yet I am not sure; there is a great difference between you.”
“Very great,” observed he, with assumed philosophy; “he has recommendations to which I can not aspire—wealth and station are great advantages; and three years allow time for all good qualities to become apparent; so lengthened a friendship is enough of itself to speak for him.”
Hilary was silent for some minutes, and then raising her eyes timidly, she said—
“There is always a debtor and creditor side in all accounts, Captain Hepburn!”
“True, as a principle; to what do you refer, Miss Duncan?”