“I have lived a great many years in the world,” she said, “but I have never seen two better young men than Mr. Sinclair and Mr. Richard.”
They were sitting round the fire in the twilight as Miss Shelton made this little speech; they had come in from their drive half an hour ago; the tea things had just been taken away, and Edna was sitting on the rug at Miss Shelton’s feet.
“They are both admirable,” she murmured; and this encomium on the absent Richard gratified Bessie.
“I don’t think they are to be compared,” observed Mrs. Sefton, rather superciliously. “My dear Miriam, Neville is infinitely superior. Richard has not got Neville’s brains.”
“Cleverness is not everything,” replied Miss Shelton. “I respect Mr. Sinclair, and have the highest opinion of his abilities; but Mr. Richard has always been a favorite of mine. Very few people guess how much he has in him; but I found it out myself a long time ago.”
“You and Ritchie were always good friends, dear Miss Shelton. Hush! I hear some one in the corridor; it cannot be Neville come back;” and Edna sprung up from her low seat with a heightened color; but as the door opened her voice fell. “No, it is only Ritchie,” in a disappointed tone.
“Whom were you expecting, Edna?” asked her brother, advancing toward the fireside circle. “Your tone does not sound very promising for me. Mother, you see I have taken you by surprise. Miss Shelton, I am delighted to see you again. How do you do, Miss Lambert?” with a swift glance in her direction.
Bessie greeted him quietly, and went back to her corner; the surprise was a very pleasant one for her. Richard looked well, and more animated than usual.
“I thought we arranged that you were not to come until to-morrow week, Richard,” observed Mrs. Sefton, in her usual cold manner: and it was evident that she was not pleased at her stepson’s arrival. “I told you particularly Miss Shelton was coming this week.”
“Oh, yes, I knew Miss Shelton would be here; but Saturday week would not have suited me at all. I don’t mean to put you out, mother. I have taken a room at the Grand Hotel. I can have my meals there, too, if you like.”