"Doubtless, but in much the same fashion as Queen Elizabeth used to visit her subjects—mere royal progresses, more bother than blessing. Miss Selwyn, I fancy, will go there in a friendly sort of way, that even Dan will appreciate."
"Oh, thank you, Hubert; but possibly, if I quite comprehended your meaning, I should be more provoked than complimented."
"Well, if I was one of the poor ones I would like your visits best. I would be willing to dispense with the dignity for sake of the friendliness that would recognize that I too had a common brotherhood with the highest as well as the lowest."
"Ah, I comprehend your meaning now, and I won't get angry with you. I think I must be a changeling, in spirit probably; there could be no mistake, I presume, in my physical identity, but my heart always claims kindred most with the lean, hungry faces."
"You could soon make my eyes watery, I do believe," Hubert said, with a gentleness that surprised me.
I saw Mrs. Flaxman quietly drying her eyes and wondered why my few, simple words should touch their tear fountain.
Towards evening I started on my walk to the Mill Road. The gardener had very graciously allowed me to gather some flowers to take with me. These I had arranged with some wet mosses I found in the woods that morning; and begging a nice little basket from the housekeeper, had them very daintily arranged. When I came downstairs equipped for my walk, I found a very stylish young lady standing in the hall beside Mrs. Flaxman.
"Esmerelda will show you the way. I scarcely feel equal for such a walk this hot day, and I know you will kindly excuse me."
"Oh certainly; it would trouble me to have you walk any distance when you look so frail."
"I am not frail, dear; but I have got into an idle habit of taking my outings in the carriage; and so walking soon tires me."