"I don't know," said Mrs. Rossitur, again; "she has a spirit that is happy in doing her duty, or anything for those she loves; but I see her sometimes wearing a look that pains me exceedingly. I am afraid the way she lives, and the changes in our affairs, have worn upon her more than we know of she feels doubly everything that touches me, or Hugh, or your father. She is a gentle spirit!"
"She seems to me not to want character," said Charlton.
"Character! I don't know who has so much. She has at least fifty times as much character as I have. And energy. She is admirable at managing people she knows how to influence them somehow, so that everybody does what she wants."
"And who influences her?" said Charlton.
"Who influences her? Everybody that she loves. Who has the most influence over her, do you mean? I am sure I don't know Hugh, if anybody but she is rather the moving spirit of the household."
Captain Rossitur resolved that he would be an exception to her rule.
He forgot, however, for some reason or other, to sound his father any more on the subject of mismanagement. His thoughts, indeed, were more pleasantly taken up.
CHAPTER XXIV.
"My lord Sebastian,
The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness,
And time to speak it in: you rub the sore,
When you should bring the plaster."
Tempest.
The Evelyns spent several weeks at the Pool; and both mother and daughters conceiving a great affection for Fleda, kept her in their company as much as possible. For those weeks Fleda had enough of gaiety. She was constantly spending the day with them at the Pool, or going on some party of pleasure, or taking quiet sensible walks and rides with them alone, or with only one or two more of the most rational and agreeable people that the place could command. And even Mrs. Rossitur was persuaded, more times than one, to put herself in her plainest remaining French silk, and entertain the whole party, with the addition of one or two of Charlton's friends, at her Queechy farm-house.