"The nearest approach I ever made to that," said he, "was when I went chestnuting the other day. Can't you find some more work for me, Fairy?"
Taking Fleda's hand with his wonted graceful lightness of manner, he walked on with her, leaving the other two to follow together.
"You would like to know, perhaps, "observed Mr. Rossitur, in rather a low tone, "that Mr. Carleton is an Englishman."
"Ay, ay?" said Mr. Ringgan. "An Englishman, is he? Well, Sir, what is it that I would like to know?"
"That," said Rossitur. "I would have told you before if I could. I supposed you might not choose to speak quite so freely, perhaps, on American affairs before him."
"I haven't two ways of speaking, Sir, on anything," said the old gentleman, a little dryly. "Is your friend very tender on that chapter?"
"O, not that I know of at all," said Rossitur; "but you know there is a great deal of feeling still among the English about it they have never forgiven us heartily for whipping them; and I know Carleton is related to the nobility, and all that, you know; so I thought "
"Ah, well!" said the old gentleman "we don't know much about nobility and such gimcracks in this country. I'm not much of a courtier. I am pretty much accustomed to speak my mind as I think it. He's wealthy, I suppose?"
"He's more than that, Sir. Enormous estates! He's the finest fellow in the world one of the first young men in England."
"You have been there yourself, and know?" said Mr. Ringgan, glancing at his companion.