“I am sure of it,” returned Miss Middleton, with sparkling eyes. “How I should like to know her! it would be a real pleasure and privilege; but I am very fond of your sister Mattie, too.”
“Fond of Mattie!” It was hardly brotherly, but he could not help that incredulous tone in his voice. How could such a superior woman as Miss Middleton be even tolerant of Mattie?
“Oh, yes,” she replied, quite calmly; “I have a great respect for your sister. She is so unselfish and amiable, and there is something so genuine in her. Before everything one wants truth,” finished Elizabeth, taking up her work.
Now, as the young clergyman entered the room, she stretched out her hand to him with her usual beaming smile.
“This is good of you, to come so soon again,” she said, making room for him between her father and herself. “But why have you not brought Mattie?” and Archie felt as though he had received a rebuke.
“She is finishing some work,” he returned, a little confused; “that is, what you ladies call work. It is not always necessary for the clergywoman to pay visits, is it?”
“The clergywoman, as you call her, is doing too much. I was scolding her this morning for not sparing herself more: I thought she was not looking quite well, Mr. Drummond.”
“Oh, Mattie is well enough,” he replied, carelessly. He had not come to talk about his sister: a far more interesting subject was in his mind. “Do you know, colonel,” he went on, with some animation, “that you and I have new neighbors? Do you remember the young ladies in the blue cambric dresses?” And at this question the colonel threw aside his paper at once.
“Elizabeth has been telling me. I remember the young ladies perfectly. I could not help noticing them. They walked so well,—heads up, and as neat and trim as though they were on parade; pretty creatures, both of them. Elizabeth pretends not to be interested, but she is quite excited. Look at her!”
“Nay, father, it is you who can talk of nothing else; but it will be very nice to have such pleasant neighbors. How soon do you think we may call on them?”