'How is Mehalah? Is she more inclined to think of me?'
Mrs. Sharland shook her head.
'She don't love me?' said Elijah with a laugh.
'I fear not, Elijah.'
'She won't be disposed to take up her quarters at Red Hall?'
Mrs. Sharland sighed a negative.
'Nor to bear with me near her all day?'
'No, Elijah.'
'No, she won't,' said he with a jerky laugh, 'she won't till she is made to. She won't come to Red Hall till she can't help it. She won't live with me till I force her to it. Damn that cousin! He stands in my path. I will go see him. There comes Mehalah, back from the saltings. I must be off.'
'My cousin is a man of importance,' observed Mrs. Sharland, bridling up at Elijah's slighting remark. 'He is not accustomed to be cursed. Men with names that the bank honours, and who have gilded balconies over their doors, don't like it, they don't deserve it.'